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| Release 04-17 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
July 8, 2004 |
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CONTACT:
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Jerry Martin
Gennet Paauwe
(916) 322-2990
www.arb.ca.gov |
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Air Quality Violations: $105,000 in Settlements for Sale of Non-Certified Products
SACRAMENTO -- The California Air Resources Board announced today that it has accepted settlements in two cases
for a total of more than $105,000. Mack Truck, Inc. and Electrolux Home Products were found to be selling products
in California that did not comply with state clean air regulations.
"We need full compliance with all air quality regulations in order to reach federally mandated standards,"
said ARB Executive Officer, Catherine Witherspoon.
In March 2002, Mack Trucks self reported the inadvertent sale of eight Midliner trucks equipped with engines not
certified to California standards. These engines were certified to the federal standard allowing them to be
sold in the other 49 states. The difference between the California and federal standard is that California
requires a Nitrogen Oxides emission rate of 4 grams or less per brake horse power (g/bhphr), while the federal
standard allows 4.6 grams per b/hphr. As part of the settlement, Mack recalled the eight trucks and converted the
engines to the California certified configuration. In addition, Mack paid $52,000 to the California Air Pollution
Control Fund to cover their own and the dealers' portion of the penalties.
Electrolux Home Products (EHP) paid $53,628 in the Air Pollution Control Fund. It was found that Sears and OSH
had inadvertently sold non-compliant chain saws, blowers and trimmers made by EHP. Since January 2000, when
California's more stringent emission standards for small off-road engines went into effect, Sears and OSH
jointly sold 930 uncertified units and recalled 853 that were in stores or warehouses. In September of
2001, EHP refined its ordering systems to block any incorrect units and ensure that only California compliant
units could be ordered for shipment to California.
All monies collected by ARB from these settlements have gone into the state's Air Pollution Control Fund. The APCF
is used to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner
technology.
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.
The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate
action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy cost,
see our website at http://www.arb.ca.gov.
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