Kroger agrees to $2.5M DOJ settlement over Clean Air Act emissions allegations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A settlement was reached between Kroger Co. and the Justice Department over emissions allegations.

Kroger agreed to a pay $2.5 million as part of a settlement with the Justice Department over allegations of violating the Clean Air Act between 2014 and 2023, as reported by our partners at Louisville Business First.

The DOJ claimed Kroger failed to repair refrigerant leaks that leaked into the atmosphere, causing damage to the ozone layer.

The DOJ filed a consent decree in April in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

As part of the consent decree, Kroger agreed to spend $100 million over the next three years to reduce coolant leaks from refrigerators and other equipment and improve company-wide rules.

The company would also have to retrofit or replace 600 commercial refrigeration systems if the consent decree is activated.

Kroger's Louisville Division has 116 retail stores across Kentucky, southern Indiana and southern Illinois, employing about 19,000 people. It is one of Louisville's largest employers.