Two interstate trucking companies have agreed to settle with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over violations related to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Truck and Bus Regulation. This regulation requires heavy-duty diesel vehicles operating in California to reduce toxic air contaminants emissions from their exhaust. The EPA enforced these violations under the Clean Air Act.
According to an EPA news release, the companies involved are Capurro Trucking and Republic Services. They are alleged to have failed to install controls on their commercial vehicles to mitigate pollution, upgrade model year engines, and ensure that the trucks adhered to state protocol. Capurro Trucking was penalized $119,162 and Republic Services was fined $100,000 to settle the claims.
"National truck fleets operating within California need to comply with our state’s truck and bus rule that regulates dangerous air pollution," said EPA Pacific Southwest Administrator Martha Guzman. "Holding companies accountable protects the environment and public health, particularly among overburdened California communities that are bearing the brunt of pollution from diesel-fueled, heavy-duty trucks."
The release also highlighted that one of the largest contributors to fine particle pollution in California is diesel emissions from trucks. These fumes, also known as soot, are associated with numerous health concerns including cardiovascular effects in adults, asthma, and impaired lung development in children. Approximately 625,000 semis operate in the state and must abide by this rule. Older model commercial vehicles are known for discharging high amounts of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides - another air pollutant contributing to poor air quality.
Since 2012, California has federally enforced the Truck and Bus Regulation as a means of achieving cleaner air according to the news release. Trucking companies must modify vehicles they own to meet specific performance standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides and confirm compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch.
