EPA v. HILTON CHICAGO AND TOWERS

Case summary

On March 25, 2003, Region 5 issued an Finding of Violation to Hilton Hotels Corporation alleging violations of the Clean Air Act Protection of Stratospheric Ozone Standards. In particular Region 5 alleged, among other violations, that Hilton Hotels Corporation failed to maintain an annual leak rate below 15 percent for one of the comfort cooling refrigeration units at its Chicago Hilton and Towers hotel. Region 5 sought an initial proposed penalty of $33,000 for the alleged violations. On October 21, 2003, Region 5 filed a combined complaint and Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) resolving the alleged violations. As part of the CAFO Hilton is required pay a penalty of $5,000, and perform a refrigerant replacement project at a cost of $20,000. In particular Hilton is required to replace two refrigeration units at its Chicago Hilton and Towers hotel with units that use non-ozone depleting refrigerants only. The settlement will not only promote greater awareness of the Protection of Stratospheric Ozone Standards but also directly reduce the amount of ozone-depleting refrigerant emitted to the environment each year from the hotel.

Defendants (1)

• HILTON CHICAGO AND TOWERSNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• CHICAGO HILTON AND TOWERS

  720 S MICHIGAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60604-2116

  Registry ID: 110007532624

Statutes cited

• CAA 608 — National Recycling & Emission Reduction Program

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• HILTON CHICAGO AND TOWERSentered 2003-10-21

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $5,000 · SEP: $20,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2003-10-21Final Order Issued
• 2003-10-21Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2004-02-09Enforcement Action Data Entered