Long Beach company fined $31,500
for emissions violations
SACRAMENTO – The
California Air Resources Board fined Bragg Investment Companies $31,500
this month for emissions violations during 2008.
An
ARB investigation showed Bragg Investment Companies, based in Long
Beach, Calif., failed to properly inspect their diesel-powered vehicles
for excess
emissions.
“Routine diesel inspections are
a top priority in protecting California's air,” said ARB Enforcement
Chief James Ryden. “Companies failing to conduct these
inspections can lead to an increase of toxic diesel particulate matter
in the air.
The
law requires owners of California-registered truck fleets to regularly
inspect their vehicles to ensure that their engine emissions meet state
air
quality regulations.
Bragg Investment Companies is required to:
•
Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the inspections attend a
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 heavy-duty diesel vehicles 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 all diesel truck engines are up to federal emissions standards
for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an emission
control
certification label.
Bragg Investment
Companies paid $31,500 in penalties: $23,625 went to the California Air
Pollution Control Fund for projects and research to improve
California's
air quality. The Peralta Community College District received $7,875 to
fund emissions education classes conducted by participating California
community colleges.
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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