SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board last month came to terms with a West Sacramento, Calif. produce company for $32,550 for failing to submit its TRU facility report.

ARB investigators found that NorCal Produce did not submit the required facility report by the 2006 deadline, as required by the transport refrigeration unit air toxic control measure.

“California is leading the way on air quality,” said ARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden. “By monitoring diesel emissions the state can set an example for the nation.”

Under the penalty, NorCal Produce must:

• Ensure that staff responsible for compliance with the diesel truck emission inspection program attend diesel education courses and provide certificates of completion within one year;
• Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state’s idling regulations;
• Complete heavy-duty diesel engine software and control technology upgrades in compliance with regulations;
•  Supply all smoke inspection records to ARB for the next four years; and,
•  Properly label engines to ensure compliance with the engine emissions certification program regulations.

The California Air Pollution Control Fund, established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technology, will receive $24,113, and the remaining $8,137 will go to the Peralta Community College District to fund diesel education classes around the state.

Failure to inspect diesel vehicles can lead to an increase in harmful airborne particles that Californians breathe. In 1998, 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, and contribute to premature death.