The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works was fined $256,375 after its fleet of diesel trucks failed to comply with state air quality regulations, it was announced today.
The fine was levied after a routine investigation by the Air Resources Board’s Enforcement Division found that the department failed to properly self-inspect its heavy-duty diesel fleet to ensure it met state smoke emission standards, did not properly affix emission control labels on the engines of its fleet vehicles, and failed to follow requirements for transit fleet vehicles.
“This significant fine reflects the serious nature of (the Department of Public Works’) violations,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. “We hold public agencies accountable for their mistakes the same as we do private businesses. We hope that this fine sends a message to public and private fleet managers that they must follow the law and maintain their vehicles and records properly.”
The Department of Public Works provides regional bus service for Los Angeles County residents and also operates a fleet to maintain roads and county infrastructure.
A Public Works spokesman said that, following the ARB’s investigation, the department moved to rectify the inconsistencies with improved staff training in diesel emission testing and emission control labels, and the purchase of new testing equipment.
“County Public Works remains fully committed to partnering with environmental agencies on programs to improve air quality in the Los Angeles Basin, particularly through the modernization and greening of its vehicle and equipment fleet,” said Kerjon Lee, DPW’s public affairs manager.
Lee said that in the past two years, DPW has added 27 propane-powered vehicles for a total of 66, including street sweepers, commercial buses, trucks and forklifts; added 36 compressed natural gas vehicles for a total of 55, including dump trucks, aerial trucks, sewer trucks, water trucks and street sweepers; increased its hybrid vehicle fleet to 60; added 21 flex-fuel vehicles for a total of 45; acquired five electric forklifts; and retrofitted six diesel vehicles with newer, clean-burning engines.
As outlined in the settlement agreement, DPW paid $192,281 to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve the state’s air quality, and $64,094 to the Peralta Colleges Foundation to fund diesel education classes conducted by Los Angeles Trade Tech College.
--City News Service
The fine was levied after a routine investigation by the Air Resources Board’s Enforcement Division found that the department failed to properly self-inspect its heavy-duty diesel fleet to ensure it met state smoke emission standards, did not properly affix emission control labels on the engines of its fleet vehicles, and failed to follow requirements for transit fleet vehicles.
“This significant fine reflects the serious nature of (the Department of Public Works’) violations,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. “We hold public agencies accountable for their mistakes the same as we do private businesses. We hope that this fine sends a message to public and private fleet managers that they must follow the law and maintain their vehicles and records properly.”
The Department of Public Works provides regional bus service for Los Angeles County residents and also operates a fleet to maintain roads and county infrastructure.
A Public Works spokesman said that, following the ARB’s investigation, the department moved to rectify the inconsistencies with improved staff training in diesel emission testing and emission control labels, and the purchase of new testing equipment.
“County Public Works remains fully committed to partnering with environmental agencies on programs to improve air quality in the Los Angeles Basin, particularly through the modernization and greening of its vehicle and equipment fleet,” said Kerjon Lee, DPW’s public affairs manager.
Lee said that in the past two years, DPW has added 27 propane-powered vehicles for a total of 66, including street sweepers, commercial buses, trucks and forklifts; added 36 compressed natural gas vehicles for a total of 55, including dump trucks, aerial trucks, sewer trucks, water trucks and street sweepers; increased its hybrid vehicle fleet to 60; added 21 flex-fuel vehicles for a total of 45; acquired five electric forklifts; and retrofitted six diesel vehicles with newer, clean-burning engines.
As outlined in the settlement agreement, DPW paid $192,281 to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve the state’s air quality, and $64,094 to the Peralta Colleges Foundation to fund diesel education classes conducted by Los Angeles Trade Tech College.
--City News Service
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