The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with Meyer Distributing, Inc., an Indiana-based automotive parts distributor. The company has agreed to pay $7.4 million in civil penalties for selling aftermarket devices that defeat emissions control systems on vehicles, violating the Clean Air Act.
According to the EPA, these devices cause increased emissions of carcinogenic diesel exhaust containing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. Acting Assistant Administrator Cecil Rodrigues stated, "Meyer sold tens of thousands of illegal devices that undermine the public health protections provided for in the Clean Air Act."
The complaint filed against Meyer Distributing alleges that between January 1, 2018, and September 16, 2020, the company sold over 90,000 such devices across the United States. These products included components like plates blocking a vehicle's exhaust gas recirculation system and pipes replacing pollution treatment parts in a vehicle’s exhaust system. Texas was identified as having the largest share of these sales.
Disabling or removing emission controls significantly increases emissions from diesel trucks, including NOx and other harmful substances. The EPA estimates that excess pollution from these products is equivalent to adding 700,000 vehicles to U.S. roads.
In addition to paying fines, Meyer Distributing will invest $1.2 million in a project to replace an old tugboat with a new one equipped with modern emission controls along the Gulf Coast region. This initiative aims to prevent approximately 1,484 tons of NOx and 19 tons of particulate matter emissions over two decades.
The consent decree lodged by the Justice Department in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana awaits a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.
Further details are available on both the Justice Department’s Proposed Consent Decree webpage and Meyer Distributing Clean Air Act Settlement Summary.
