The popular U.S. grocery chain Trader Joe's Co agreed to spend $2 million to reduce refrigerator coolant leaks at 453 stores, to settle federal claims it failed to promptly repair leaks that deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming.

Trader Joe's also agreed to enter a consent decree and pay a $500,000 civil fine to resolve claims it violated the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency said on Tuesday.

Regulators said the accord is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions equal to the amount generated by more than 6,500 cars each year.

They also said Costco Wholesale Corp and Safeway Inc previously settled cases over refrigerants, but that Trader Joe's accord is the EPA's first requiring repairs of hydrofluorocarbon leaks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Trader Joe's looks forward to working with the EPA in its mission to reduce air pollution and protect the ozone layer, and, with this agreement, has committed to reducing its emissions to a rate that matches the best of the industry," spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said in a statement.