California Air Resources Board

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board last week penalized two out-of-state companies for violation of clean diesel truck regulations around the state for a total of $41,625.

Source Interlink Companies, headquartered in Bonita Springs, Fla., and Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems, based in Fort Smith, Ark., in 2006 and 2007 violated California's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, which requires owners of California-registered trucks to regularly inspect their vehicles to meet state air quality standards.

Wingfoot's violations occurred in Walnut, Ontario, Chino, Visalia, Benicia, Fresno, Hayward, Modesto, Redding, South San Francisco, San Jose, Stockton and West Sacramento. Source Interlink Companies' violations occurred in Los Angeles.

"Compliance by paying penalties is a needlessly expensive way to do business in California," ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols said. "Savvy business owners comply with laws from the outset, avoid fines and contribute to clean air goals."

ARB enforcement teams found that both Wingfoot and Source Interlink failed to properly inspect their diesel-powered vehicle fleets. To settle the case, Wingfoot agreed to the $30,000 penalty and Source Interlink agreed to $11,625 to comply with the state's clean truck regulations.

In addition to the penalties, both companies must:

• Ensure that staff responsible for compliance with the diesel truck emission inspection program attend diesel education courses and provide certificates of completion within one year;
• Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's idling regulations;
• Complete heavy-duty diesel engine software and control technology upgrades in compliance with regulations;
• Supply all smoke inspection records to ARB for the next four years; and
• Properly label engines to ensure compliance with the engine emissions certification program regulations.

Wingfoot paid $22,500 and Source Interlink $8,718 into the California Air Pollution Control fund, created to conduct air pollution research and fund several programs aimed at reducing emissions as well as educating the public on pollution prevention. In addition, the Peralta Community College District will receive $7,500 from Wingfoot and $2,906 from Source Interlink to fund diesel technology education programs and training for staff that operate diesel-fueled vehicles.

Unchecked, emissions from heavy-duty diesel 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.