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Arakelien Enterprises is also known as Athens Disposal Company. 

Release 09-85
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2009
	  	  	
Karen Caesar
(626) 575-6728
www.arb.ca.gov

Southern California waste hauler Arakelian Enterprises fined
$270,000 for emissions violations

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board fined Southern
California waste hauler Arakelian Enterprises, also known as
Athens Disposal Company, $270,000 this month for diesel emissions
violations.

An ARB investigation showed Athens, based in City of Industry,
Calif., failed to properly inspect their diesel vehicles during
2005 and 2006. The company also failed to comply with the solid
waste collection vehicle rule by neglecting to install legally
required emission-reduction devices from 2004 through 2008. The
installation of these devices is critical in the reduction of
diesel emissions. The emissions benefits lost during the time
that these devices were not installed are of great consequence to
the residents where these vehicles travel, denying them cleaner
air to breathe.

"Diesel emissions are the most pervasive toxic air contaminant
in California," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Routine truck
inspections are critical in reducing those emissions and
providing clean air for residents."

The law requires owners of California-registered truck fleets to
regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure that their engine
emissions meet state air quality standards.

As part of the settlement, Athens is required to:

    * Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the
inspections attend a California Community College 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;
    * Retrofit the appropriate number of solid waste collection
vehicles with the best available control technology;
    * Comply with all requirements applicable to solid waste
collection vehicles; 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. 

Athens paid $270,000 in penalties: $202,500 went to the
California Air Pollution Control Fund for projects and research
to improve California's air quality. The Peralta Community
College District received $33,750 to fund emissions education
classes conducted by participating California community colleges;
and, the remaining $33,750 went 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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