EPA orders 3 trucking companies to pay more than $400,000 for violating CARB’s pollution regulations

SAN FRANSISCO — Three interstate trucking companies must pay $417,000 penalties for violating the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) federally enforceable Truck and Bus, Drayage and Transport Refrigeration Unit regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 16.

The announcement highlighted separate administrative settlement agreements with three companies:

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. operated heavy-duty diesel vehicles that lacked the diesel particulate filters required by CARB’s Truck and Bus Regulation and operated unregistered, noncompliant drayage trucks. The company also hired carriers to transport goods in California without verifying that the vehicles complied with the Truck and Bus Regulation and dispatched drayage trucks without required record-keeping. As part of the settlement, the company will pay a $117,000 civil penalty and has agreed to use compliant trucks.

Ruan Transportation Management Systems Inc. operated heavy-duty diesel trucks in California that lacked the required diesel particulate filters. Ruan also failed to verify that the carriers it hired to transport goods in California complied with CARB’s Truck and Bus Regulation. Ruan is the first company cited by EPA for failing to timely meet specified particulate-matter emission reductions in transport refrigeration equipment under State of California requirements. As part of the settlement, the company will pay a $125,000 civil penalty and will use compliant trucks.

Boise Cascade Co. failed to verify that the carriers it hired to transport goods in California complied with the state’s Truck and Bus Regulation. As part of the settlement, the company will pay a $175,000 civil penalty and has agreed to use compliant trucks.

“As trucks are one of the largest sources of air pollution in California, EPA will continue to ensure these heavy-duty vehicles have the needed pollution-control equipment and operate in compliance with the rules,” John Busterud, EPA’s Pacific Southwest regional administrator. “These companies have agreed to bring their trucks into compliance and operate more cleanly in all communities they serve.”

According to a statement from the EPA, transportation is a primary contributor to the high levels of air pollutants in Southern California and the Central Valley. Diesel emissions from trucks are one of the state’s largest sources of fine particle pollution, or soot, which is linked to health issues including asthma, impaired lung development in children, and cardiovascular effects in adults. Many of these trucks are older models and emit high amounts of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

For several years, California’s Truck and Bus Regulation and Drayage Truck Regulation have been part of the state’s federally enforceable plan to attain cleaner air. California requires trucking companies to upgrade vehicles they own to meet specific particulate matter and nitrogen oxides performance standards and to verify compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch.

Heavy-duty diesel trucks in California must meet 2010 engine emissions standards or use diesel particulate filters to reduce the diesel particulate emissions into the atmosphere by 85% or more. Owners and operators of drayage trucks operating in California must meet specific emissions standards and register these trucks with the state. Under California’s Transport Refrigeration Unit Regulation, owners and operators of transport refrigeration equipment that operate in the state must meet performance standards that reduce particulate emissions by at least 50% (or 85% by certain deadlines, depending upon the model year and horsepower of the equipment).

The Trucker News Staff

The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.