Refuse handler Waste Management has agreed to pay more than $1 million to settle charges levied by the California Air Resources Board for air quality violations in 2004 and 2005 resulting from the company’s failure to properly inspect its diesel truck fleet to ensure compliance with state emissions standards.
California’s Periodic Smoke Inspection Program requires annual smoke opacity tests of California-based fleets, and the state also conducts roadside smoke inspections.
In addition to the financial settlement, Waste Management agreed to comply with the smoke inspection program and to require all fleet staff responsible for compliance with the ARB’s regulations to attend classes conducted by the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology. The company also must supply to ARB all smoke inspection records for the 2007 and subsequent four years.
The settlement money will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education, and for the advancement and use of cleaner technology.
