California Garbage Truck Smoke Costs Waste Management $1 Million

Environment News Service (ENS)

California Garbage Truck Smoke Costs Waste Management $1 Million

SACRAMENTO, California, November 20, 2007 (ENS) - Waste Management, the nation's largest trash hauler, has settled with the California Air Resources Board for more than $1 million for failing to properly inspect its diesel truck fleet to assure state emission standards were met.

The waste company settled for air quality violations that occurred in 2004 and 2005 throughout the state.

"Trash pick-up is a critical service, but emissions spewed from uninspected trucks are not something Californians should pay for with their health," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. "Our enforcement teams will continue to ensure clean air laws are taken seriously."

Waste Management truck plys the streets of a California neighborhood. (Photo courtesy Waste Management)

California's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, which requires annual smoke opacity tests of vehicle fleets based in California, in conjunction with a roadside smoke inspection program, is used to ensure that all of California's heavy-duty vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

In addition to the settlement monies, Waste Management has agreed to comply with the smoke inspection program. The company and will require all fleet staff responsible for compliance with the ARB's regulations to attend classes conducted by the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology. Waste Management must also supply to the Air Resources Board all smoke inspection records for 2007 and the subsequent four years.

All monies are being paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technology.

This fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, uses compliance settlement fees to support various pollution research projects and related programs.

The state has more than 12,000 diesel-fueled commercial and residential solid waste and recycling collection vehicles. Waste collection is a weekly event in most areas, and in some cases, neighborhoods are served by three collection vehicles each week.

Unchecked, emissions from these trucks contribute to toxic diesel particulate matter levels that are a danger to public health, says the ARB, adding diesel emissions contribute to poor air quality throughout the state.

Waste Management is a nationwide, Fortune 200 company.

As part of a new company initiative, announced in October, Waste Management will direct its capital spending of up to $500 million per year over a 10-year period to increase the fuel efficiency of its fleet by 15 percent and reduce fleet emissions by 15 percent by 2020.





Entergy Releases 2008 Sustainability Report Plant a Tree for Arbor Day with Mohawk Friends of Animals Win: African Antelope Shielded From Safari Club and Trophy Tourists Green Program Launched to Keep City Parks Poo Free U-Haul Customers Give $1 Million to Charity Core Services Reduces Its Impact on the Environment and Its Use of Natural Resources Women Are the Energy Decision Makers and Want the U.S. to Move Toward Clean Energy, a New National Survey Shows Mohawk Fine Papers Supports Two New Alternative Energy Projects Atrion Leverages Content Expertise to Launch New Generation of RegDBOnline Database for Global Environment, Health, Safety and Transport Information SPIN-Gardening� Discussion and Action Guide Now Available Medical Experts Prescribe Legislation to Help Prevent Cancer Think London's 'Route to 2012' Olympic Games Roadshow With UKTI Underway With Cleantech Panel Discussion in San Francisco Planet Green's Blue August Month Dives Into Summer With a Celebration of the Oceans Anheuser-Busch Launches Employee Program to Support World Environment Day Hollywood Studios Say No to Plastic Dry-Cleaning Bags and Yes to the Green Garmento Global Advanced Recycling Technology Ltd (GAR-Tech) and Managing Director, Derek W R Reffell, Answer Allegations by PowerMaster Corp. New Green Homes Course and Educational Set Now Available For College Educators Tigo Energy Reaches Key Milestones and Raises $10 Million 'B' Round Financing Atrion First to Deliver Support for EU's new Regulation on Classification, Labeling and Packaging With IA 4.1 GREEN BASH � Multimedia Arts Meet the Green Movement The Global Green Portal Launched NatureAir Receives Prestigious Recognition from World Travel & Tourism Council Master Planning Sustainable Green Communities Energy, Environment and Technology News (EETN) Announces New Blog Monitor Service IC Bus Helps Emeryville, California Go Green With New Hybrid Commercial Buses Natural Selection, Inc. and Empowered Energy Solutions, Inc. Partner for Optimized Renewable Energy Products Architect John Blackburn Launches Eco-Friendly Barn Designs for Equestrian and Agricultural Use Global Advanced Recycling Technology ("Gar-Tech") and Managing Director Derek Reffell Default on Lawsuit Brought by Powermaster Corp. Green Energy Technologies Launches WindCube(R) at Windpower 2009 Thieves Launch New Portable Tetra Pak Wines for Summer NonProfitShoppingMall.com Celebrates Mother's Day and Mother Earth, Naming EarthShare Its Featured Charity Partner for May SustainableBusiness.com/ GreenDreamJobs.com Enters Strategic Partnership with Footprint Media Virginia Plant Takes Top Environmental Honors in National Cement Awards Fresh Perspective Launches Research Tool for Business Leaders Overwhelmed by Information Pending Bill on Renewable Energy Omits Huge Source Matter Network Has Most Engaged Green Audience, According to comScore Occidental Petroleum's Toxic Legacy in the Peruvian Amazon To Dominate Annual Meeting, Says Amazon Watch New Experience-based Book & DVD Set Offers Unique Opportunity for Understanding Green Homes Siemens Building Technologies: Committed to a Greener, Sustainable Future Save The Planet -- Win a Prize Capital-Intensive Cleantech Innovations May Lose out in Battle to Secure Funding EMS Teams With MATRA for the Rebirth of a Legend: The Limited Edition TidalForce(TM) M-750 x2.0 Electric Bike World's First Green Hotels Directory Launched PR Newswire and World-Wire Join Forces to Showcase Environmentally-Focused News and Events


License ENS News for websites and newsletters Send a news story to ENS editors Upload environmental news videos Share ENS stories with the world