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Diesel exhaust creates more than 70% of California's airborne
carcinogens. 

Release 09-82
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2009
	  	  	
Karen Caesar
(626) 575-6728
www.arb.ca.gov

Coachella Valley construction company fined $31,950 for
emissions violations

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board fined Dateland
Construction Co., Inc $31,950 last month for emissions violations
during 2007 and 2008.

An ARB investigation showed Dateland Construction, based in
Indio, Calif., failed to properly inspect their diesel trucks as
required by California law.

"Inspection and maintenance costs for a diesel truck fleet are
far cheaper than paying penalties," said ARB Chairman Mary D.
Nichols. "Public health suffers the consequences when a company
ignores clean-air laws."

Annual smoke emissions tests are required for diesel truck
fleets, in conjunction with ARB's roadside smoke inspection
program; the law ensures that all vehicles are properly
maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

As part of the settlement, Dateland Construction is required
to:

    * Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the
inspections attend a training class on diesel emissions
compliance testing and provide certificates of completion within
one year;
    * Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are
being carried out for the next four years;
    * Ensure all heavy-duty diesel vehicles have their software
updated with the latest low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen emissions)
programming;
    * Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's
idling regulations; and,
    * Ensure all diesel truck engines are up to federal
emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly
labeled with an emission control certification label. 

Dateland Construction agreed to pay $31,950 in penalties:
$23,962.50 will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund
for projects and research to improve California's air quality.
The Peralta Community College District will receive $3,993.75 to
fund emissions education classes conducted by participating
California community colleges; and, the remaining $3,993.75 will
go to the California Pollution Control Financing Authority which
guarantees loans to off-road vehicle fleets that need to buy
exhaust retrofits to comply with state regulations.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40
other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California
identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant
based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death and other
health problems.

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.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every
Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy
consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and
cut your energy cost, see our web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov

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