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newsrel -- Businesses fined for air quality violations

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 12:59:08
Settlement of 33 cases generates $56K for community colleges,
$188K for pollution control . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	

Release #: 11-23
Date:06/09/2011

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990
CONTACT:

Karen Caesar
626-575-6728
kcaesar@arb.ca.gov


SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board announced today that since
January 1, it has settled 33 cases involving air quality
violations mostly by trucks and buses, primarily for failure to
properly conduct and pass self-inspections aimed at measuring
vehicle smoke emissions to ensure state requirements are met.

Of the nearly $244,000 collected, approximately $188,000 went to
the California Air Pollution Control Fund to support air quality
projects and research to improve California's air quality.  An
estimated $56,000 went to the Peralta Community College District
to fund emission education classes at participating California
community colleges under the California Council for Diesel
Education and Technology program.

“Fining a company is usually a last resort,” said ARB Enforcement
Chief Jim Ryden.  “We take every opportunity to educate business
owners and explain the need for compliance with California’s
environmental laws.  But when a company is negligent or chooses
to not cooperate, we must take action.  Chances are good that
they will not repeat the offense.”

Fines totaled $243,659.00; none from this group exceeded $30,000.
 The five companies paying the highest amounts were:

    * Southern California Edison (SCE), fined $23,000.00, was
cited for failure to properly self-inspect their diesel trucks to
assure the trucks met state smoke emission standards, and to
properly affix emission control labels on the engines of their
fleet vehicles.  
    * Versacold Logistics LLC, fined $20,325.00, failed to submit
a report of activities involving transport refrigeration units at
their Modesto facility by the required deadline.  The company has
now submitted a complete report and agreed to comply with all
pertinent regulations.  
    * Ensign United States Drilling (California) Inc., fined
$19,125.000, failed to smoke test diesel vehicles in its fleet
and to report and label its off-road diesel vehicles by the
required deadline.  
    * Paul Vaz Trucking, Inc., fined $19,000.00 for failing to
properly self-inspect their diesel trucks and properly affix
required emission control labels.
    * Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, fined $17,000 for
failing to properly retrofit many of its urban buses and transit
fleet vehicles to assure the trucks met state smoke emission
standards.  

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.

To read about mobile source enforcement cases settled for over
$30,000 during this period, please visit these links:

City of Compton fined $48,000 for diesel truck and equipment
violations

Southern California importer of off-highway vehicles ordered to
pay $250,000 judgment

                    ####
                         
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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