The California Air Resources Board this month fined Britz-Simplot Grower Solutions $16,500 for diesel-truck emission violations - including at a facility in Hollister - throughout its regional operations, according to a statement from the agency.
ARB investigators found that Britz-Simplot failed to inspect its diesel truck fleet between 2007-2008 at its Hollister, Hanford, Terra Bella, Traver, Five Points and Stockton facilities.
Britz Fertilizers is a full-service California agricultural retailer and wholesaler of fertilizers, chemicals, seed, application and a wide variety of on-farm services including aerial & satellite imagery, according to its Web site.
"Penalties for air pollution violations are a warning to business owners," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols in the statement. "The price can be more than a monetary inconvenience when a company's reputation is at stake."
The law requires annual smoke tests for diesel truck fleets and, in conjunction with ARB's roadside smoke inspection program, ensures that all vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke.
As part of the settlement, the agency noted, Britz-Simplot 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 of the company's heavy-duty diesel trucks 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
- Comply with requirements of the fleet rule for transit agencies
- Ensure that all diesel trucks are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an emission control label
Britz-Simplot will pay $16,500 in penalties: $12,375 will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, providing funding for projects and research to improve California's air quality. The Peralta Community College District will receive the $2,062.50 to fund emissions education classes conducted by participating California community colleges, and the remaining $2,062.50 will go to the California Pollution Control Financing Authority to fund low-interest loans for owners of off-road diesel-powered construction vehicles, according to the statement.
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.
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