The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced settlements with two trucking companies over claims of violating the California Air Resources Board’s Truck and Bus Regulation.
The companies, Capurro Trucking and Republic Services, operate diesels in California and elsewhere. According to EPA, the companies failed to install controls to reduce pollution, upgrade model year engines, or verify that the trucks complied with state rules. The EPA brought these enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act.
Under the terms of the settlements, Capurro Trucking paid a civil penalty of $119,162, and Republic Services, comprised of 30 entities, paid a civil penalty of $100,000 to resolve EPA’s respective violation claims against the companies.
"We are glad to resolve this matter with US EPA Region 9," Republic Services said in an emailed statement to Overdrive. "We look forward to continuing to provide sustainable solutions to our customers in California."
Capurro Trucking has not responded to a request for comment as of Tuesday afternoon.
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“National truck fleets operating within California need to comply with our state’s Truck and Bus Rule that regulates dangerous air pollution,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Administrator Martha Guzman. “Holding companies accountable protects the environment and public health, particularly among overburdened California communities that are bearing the brunt of pollution from diesel-fueled, heavy-duty trucks.”
The California Truck and Bus Regulation has been part of the state’s federally enforceable emissions regs since 2012. The rule required trucking companies to upgrade vehicles they own to meet specific performance standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and to verify compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch. Since Jan. 1, 2023, all vehicles subject to the rule that travel in California have been required to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent emissions.
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