On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had reached settlements with two New England companies over illegal tampering with diesel truck emission controls.
Under the Clean Air Act, tampering with a vehicle’s emission control system is illegal and results in excess emission of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and other particulate matter. The Clean Air Act prohibits the manufacture, sales or installation of aftermarket devices that disable, bypass or reduce the effectiveness of emission control systems.
“EPA is committed to ensuring that we all have access to clean air, and the actions of these two companies has undermined that goal, resulting in more air pollution in our communities. Emission control systems on vehicles reduce pollution, meaning we all get cleaner, healthier air to breathe,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “This action sends a clear message that tampering with emission controls on vehicles will not be tolerated. It is critical that vehicle repair facilities and truck owners comply with the Clean Air Act, especially in communities that have historically been overburdened by pollution.”
Diesel Fuel Systems, Inc. of Bangor, Maine, resolved allegations made by the EPA that between 2019 and 2021, the company sold and installed aftermarket parts, known as “defeat devices.” The company has agreed to pay $100,000 in penalties and to certify to the EPA that it has stopped selling and installing the devices and will destroy any remaining ones.
The EPA also settled a case with 21 Motorsports, an online retailer in Clinton, Mass., over allegations it sold 11 aftermarket emissions tampering devices. The company will pay $5,697 n penalties under a pilot program addressing smaller-scale vehicle tampering. The company will also certify that it has destroyed the devices.