Trucking companies ordered to pay $1M fine for illegal modifications to big rigs: 'This case is one of the largest of its kind'
March 8, 2024
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced in October that two Grand Rapids-based trucking companies and several individuals were sentenced for deactivating the emissions control systems on semi trucks.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the process of "deletion" can "improve performance and fuel economy and save maintenance costs" but increases tailpipe pollution, which can have detrimental health and environmental effects.
"Tampering with or removing emissions controls can drastically increase the emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and non-methane hydrocarbons found in vehicle exhaust," the release stated. "Exposure to and inhalation of these chemicals at greater levels is associated with serious health risks."
U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney ordered the two businesses to pay fines of $500,000 each and serve a year of probation as part of their felony convictions. Judge Maloney also sentenced all four men to a year of probation, with Scholten and Bos serving four months in home detention and Larsen serving two months. Additionally, Scholten and Bos each received a fine of $6,000, while Larsen was fined $7,500, and DeKock $10,000.
"The sentencings in this case show that EPA and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable individuals who disregard health and environmental laws designed to protect our communities from dangerous air pollution," Matovic added.
It's another example of the Clean Air Act in action, as the U.S. Justice Department levied a $1.7 billion penalty last year against a company that installed software that could bypass emission controls.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-bu...ies-sentenced/
Get ready folks this is just the beginning.
