Two Carriers Pay Fines for California Pollution Violations
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Two interstate companies operating heavy-duty truck fleets in California agreed to legal settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after being accused of violating California law by failing to install air pollution controls, upgrade model year engines, or verify their trucks complied with state rules.
“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,” declared Martha Guzman, EPA Pacific Southwest administrator.
She added that national truck fleets operating within California “need to comply with our state’s truck and bus rule that regulates dangerous air pollution.”
The EPA brought these enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act against Capurro Trucking and Republic Services. When contacted Dec. 18 by Transport Topics for comment, Capurro Trucking provided no response. Republic Services said, “We are glad to resolve this matter with U.S. EPA Region 9. We look forward to continuing to provide sustainable solutions to our customers in California.”
Guzman
Northern Nevada-based Capurro bills itself as one of Nevada’s largest trucking companies, boasting a fleet of more than 100 trucks and 300 trailers.
Republic Services, headquartered in Phoenix, serves the environmental services industry. It has 13 million customers, 17,000 trucks and more than 1,000 locations in North America. Through its subsidiaries, it provides recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste, container rental and field services.
“Capurro Trucking paid a civil penalty of $119,162, and Republic Services, comprised of 30 entities, paid a civil penalty of $100,000, to resolve EPA’s respective violation claims against the companies,” according to a Dec. 11 announcement by EPA.
The federal agency noted that 625,000 trucks are registered outside the state, but operate in California, which makes them subject to the California Air Resources Board's truck and bus regulation.
EPA dubbed this state truck and bus regulation an integral part of California’s “federally enforceable plan to attain cleaner air since 2012.”
Under the California mandate, trucking companies are required to upgrade vehicles they own to meet specific performance standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and to verify compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch. As of Jan. 1, 2023, all vehicles subject to the rule that travel in California have been required to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent emissions.
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing below or go here for more info:
