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newsrel -- Agriculture tech company cited $4,000 for diesel engine emissions violations
Posted: 17 Jun 2009 12:03:33
Monsanto Company cited for diesel emissions violations. Release 09-55 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karen Caesar (626) 575-6728 www.arb.ca.gov June 17, 2009 Agriculture tech company cited $4,000 for diesel engine emissions violations SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board fined the Monsanto Company $4,000 this month for diesel engine emissions violations that occurred in 2007 and 2008 at fleet centers in San Juan Bautista and Williams, Calif. An ARB fleet audit found that the company, based in St. Louis, Mo., had not been conducting the required annual emissions inspections on their heavy-duty diesel vehicles. “Taking the green road in business is one of the best ways to outshine competitors,” said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. “Considering our continued air quality problems, commitment to clean air and public health should be the motto of businesses across California.” As part of the settlement, Monsanto must comply with the following: • Guarantee employees who are responsible for the inspecting the vehicles attend a mandatory California Community College class on procedures and provide certificates of completion within one year; • Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years; • Update all applicable engines in the fleet with the latest Low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen) software programming; and, • Ensure that all 1974 and newer diesel powered vehicles are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an engine certification label. The company will pay $4,000 in penalties: $3,000 will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California’s air quality; $500 to Peralta Community College District to fund emission education classes; and, the remaining $500 to the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. A decade ago, the ARB listed diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant in order to protect public health. Exposure to diesel emissions can increase the risk of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. California has aggressively worked to cut diesel emissions by cleaning up diesel fuel, requiring cleaner engines for trucks, buses and off-road equipment, and limiting unnecessary idling. 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. #####