DDM Imports has been fined for $66k for illegally importing diesel pickup trucks lacking required emission controls from Canada. Upon inspection of the trucks in question at the U.S. border, it was found that the wires and connections between emissions sensors and controls and the vehicles’ onboard diagnostics systems had been cut. This is the third time in less than two years that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has forwarded a case against DDM Imports of Airway Heights, Washington.
In similar cases brought by the EPA in April and October 2020, DDM paid penalties totaling $67,400 for illegally importing diesel pickup trucks without required emission controls.
Under the terms of the Consent Agreement and Final Order, the company will pay $66,622 for another attempt to import illegal diesel pickup trucks.
Heavy-duty diesel pickup engines can emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, both of which contribute to serious public health problems in the United States. These problems include premature mortality, aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, aggravation of existing asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function. Numerous studies also link diesel exhaust to increased incidence of lung cancer.
As in the two prior cases, this most recent case came to EPA from officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field Operations, who in November 2020 inspected two Ford F-350 diesel pickup trucks at the U.S.-Canada border in Eastport, Idaho and found that the wires and connections between emissions sensors and controls and the vehicles’ onboard diagnostics systems had been cut on both trucks. In addition, emission control device catalysts had been removed from one of the trucks. The Clean Air Act requires all used vehicles imported to the U.S. be outfitted with the emission controls required at the time of their manufacture.
“This company is well aware that importers of vehicles are responsible for ensuring required pollution controls are intact,” said Ed Kowalski, director of EPA Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Division. “We will continue to aggressively enforce the law, and we appreciate the partnership with the Customs and Border Protection officers in ensuring compliance to protect people’s health.”