Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie parent agrees to Clean Air Act settlement

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The parent company of Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarkets has agreed to reduce emissions of ozone-depleting gases from refrigerating equipment under a settlement with the federal government.

Southeastern Grocers Inc. agreed to the settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, according to a news release from the Justice Department.

The company was accused of failing to promptly repair leaks of Class I and Class II refrigerants, ozone-depleting substances used as coolants in refrigerators. Southeastern Grocers also was accused of failing to keep adequate servicing records of its refrigeration equipment and failing to provide information about its compliance record.

Under the settlement, Southeastern Grocers will spend an estimated $4.2 million over the next three years to reduce coolant leaks from refrigerators and other equipment at 576 stores. The company also will pay a $300,000 civil penalty.

This is the fourth settlement involving grocery store refrigerant cases, including cases previously filed against Safeway Inc., Costco Wholesale Corp. and Trader Joe’s Co.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Southeastern Grocers operates regional grocery store chains Bi-Lo LLC, Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Fresco y Mas and Harveys Supermarket, with stores in South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina.