ARB settles with Coca-Cola Bottling Company for $528,500
SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board announced today that it
has negotiated a settlement with Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles for $528,500 as a result of failure
to properly inspect its diesel truck fleet for smoke emissions.
ARB documented violations of the Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, which requires annual smoke opacity tests of
California-based fleets. The program, in conjunction with to ARB's roadside smoke inspection program, is used to
ensure that all of California's heavy-duty vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive
smoke.
"The best way for corporations to avoid penalties is to keep their vehicles maintained to engine manufacturers'
specifications," said Tom Cackette, ARB Acting Executive Officer. "ARB also encourages fleet maintenance
personnel to attend training programs to become skilled on vehicle inspection requirements."
The California Air Pollution Fund will receive $396,375 and Peralta Community College District will receive $132,125
to distribute to campuses offering diesel education and technology courses. Coca-Cola will require staff responsible
for compliance with smoke inspection programs to attend this training class, and is committed to compliance with
clean air programs.
Diesel soot accounts for 70 percent of Californians exposure to toxics. Los Angeles residents are at particular
risk since the region has the state's most pressing air quality 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.
