New Release: 2009-05-28b ARB rolls out local government 'toolkit' to help cut climate change emissions, save money

Release 09-53
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2009

Karen Caesar
(626) 575-6728
www.arb.ca.gov

Southern California ready mix company fined $65,700 for emissions violations

SACRAMENTO- The California Air Resources Board fined Robertson's Ready Mix $65,700 in May for diesel truck emissions violations during 2007 and 2008 at its Southern California facilities including.Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and San Diego Counties.

An ARB investigation showed that the ready mix company failed to properly inspect their heavy-duty vehicle fleet.

"Routine inspections guarantee that vehicles stay clean, meet California's air quality standards and protect public health," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Failing to perform these inspections can lead to an increase in air pollution."

The law requires annual smoke tests for diesel fleets and, in conjunction with ARB's roadside smoke inspection program, ensures that all vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

Robertson's Ready Mix is required to:

Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the inspections attend a California community college training class on diesel emissions compliance testing and provide certificates of completion within one year;
Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years;
Ensure all of the company's heavy-duty diesel trucks have their software updated with the latest low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen emissions) programming;
Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's idling regulations; and,
Ensure that all diesel trucks are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an emission control label.

Robertson's Ready Mix will pay $65,700 in penalties: $49,275 will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund for funding projects and research to improve California's air quality; the Peralta Community College District will receive $8,212.50 to fund emissions education classes conducted by participating California community colleges; and, the remaining $8,212.50 will go to the California Pollution Control Financing Authority which guarantees loans to off-road vehicle fleets that need to buy exhaust retrofits to comply with state regulations.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death and other health problems.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

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