What's New List Serve Post Display

Please consider the following Air Resources Board press release
announcing the board's recent enforcement settlement with Waste
Management.  You can review the release online here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr112007.htm .

Thank You
Dimitri Stanich
ARB/PIO
_______________________________________________________________



Release 07-55
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2007
	  	  	
Gennet Paauwe
916-322-2990
www.arb.ca.gov

ARB Settles with Waste Management for over $1 million

Trash hauler failed to inspect diesel trucks for excess smoke

SACRAMENTO - Waste Management recently settled with the
California Air Resources Board for more than $1 million for
failing to properly inspect its diesel truck fleet to assure
state emission standards were met.

Waste Management, the nation's largest trash hauler, settled for
air quality violations that occurred in 2004 and 2005 throughout
the state.

"Trash pick-up is a critical service, but emissions spewed from
uninspected trucks are not something Californians should pay for
with their health," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Our
enforcement teams will continue to ensure clean air laws are
taken seriously."

California's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, which requires
annual smoke opacity tests of California-based fleets, in
conjunction with a 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
emissions.

In addition to the settlement monies, Waste Management has
agreed to comply with the smoke inspection program and will
require all fleet staff responsible for compliance with the
ARB's regulations to attend classes conducted by the California
Council on Diesel Education and Technology. Waste Management
must also supply to ARB all smoke inspection records for the
2007 and subsequent four years.

All monies are being paid to the California Air Pollution
Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources
of pollution through education and the advancement and use of
cleaner technology. This fund, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, uses compliance settlement fees to support various
pollution-related research projects and related programs.

The state has more than 12,000 diesel-fueled commercial and
residential solid waste and recycling collection vehicles. Waste
collection is a weekly event in most areas, and in some cases,
neighborhoods are served by three collection vehicles each week.
Unchecked, emissions from these trucks contribute to toxic diesel
particulate matter levels that are a danger to public health.
Diesel emissions contribute to poor air quality throughout the
state.


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.


#####