SACRAMENTO -- The California Air Resources Board announced today that it has reached settlements with Valley Environmental Services (VES) and Irish Construction for a total of $24,635. Both were found to have violated state air quality regulations.

An investigation by ARB found that VES of Imperial, California failed to properly self-inspect their diesel trucks to assure they met smoke emissions standards according to Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSI). ARB documented 76 violations. VES agreed to settle the case with a payment of $14,635 and to comply with all parameters of PSI in the future.

Similarly, Irish Construction failed to self inspect their trucks leading ARB to find violations of PSI regulations. Irish Construction has agreed to a $10,000 settlement and to comply with all parameters of PSI in the future.

All monies collected by ARB from these settlements will go 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.