The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assessed civil penalties against two companies for installing or selling ‘defeat devices’ in vehicle engines to render emissions controls inoperative, in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.
“Aftermarket defeat devices are a significant contributor to harmful air pollution,” said Diane Huffman, acting director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division.
Diesel repair shop Midwest Truck Products LLC of Cantril, Iowa, will pay a $75,000 penalty. South Central Diesel Inc. of Holdrege, Nebraska, an industrial machinery and equipment distribution company, will pay a penalty of $50,954. According to EPA, the companies tampered with vehicle engines and/or sold devices to remove emissions controls for hundreds of customers.
In addition to paying civil penalties, the companies certified that they have stopped disabling vehicle emission controls.
Published in the October 2021 Edition
