The California Air Resources Board recently fined Millard Refrigerated Service of Omaha, Neb., $35,550 for air pollution violations discovered at the company’s cold storage facility in Mira Loma, Calif. CARB says its inspectors found that Millard failed to submit data by the Jan. 31, 2006 deadline, violating the Transport Refrigeration Unit regulation.
“Because our state has the poorest air quality in the nation, we cannot afford to overlook any infractions,” says CARB Chairman Mary Nichols. “We hope that each penalty serves as an effective deterrent and a reminder that everyone plays a part in cleaning up our air.”
Facilities with 20 or more cold storage loading docks are required to monitor, keep records and report activities that create emissions, including diesel-powered refrigeration units mounted on trucks, trailers, shipping containers and rail cars. These activities take place during the loading and unloading of perishables goods at distribution centers around the state.
Millard will pay $26,662.50 to the California Air Pollution Fund, established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and use of cleaner technology; and $8,887.50 to the Peralta Community College District to fund diesel emissions technology education programs at community colleges.
