TOP AIR POLLUTION PENALTIES

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has responsibility to control air pollution. It can seek court-imposed fines against polluters of from $25 to $25,000 a day based on such factors as the extent that emissions exceed legal limits, potential danger to the public, whether the violation was intentional, accidental or due to negligence and the company’s history of violations. These are the 10 top penalties in October:

COMPANY: L.A. City Bureau of Sanitation, Los Angeles

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Municipal government

PENALTY: $150,000

VIOLATION: At the Lopez Canyon landfill: excavation of an active landfill without a permit; public nuisance violation due to landfill gas emissions; escape of raw gases from landfill gas collection system; faulty landfill flares; failure to cover and immediately repair areas of excessive methane gas concentrations.

COMPANY: San Bernardino County Dept. of Solid Waste Management, San Bernardino

TYPE OF BUSINESS: County government

PENALTY: $150,000

VIOLATION: At the Fontana, Milliken and Colton landfills: public nuisance violation due to odors; failure to install a landfill gas control system.

COMPANY: J & Y Welding & Iron Works, Los Angeles

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Wrought iron fence and door manufacturer

PENALTY: $55,000

VIOLATION: Excessive hydrocarbons from spray painting booth; operating booth contrary to permit conditions; failure to achieve required paint transfer efficiency.

COMPANY: Western Pacific Fleet Service, Montebello

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Recreational vehicle and truck body shop

PENALTY: $25,000

VIOLATION: Excessive hydrocarbons from coating operation; operating a spray painting booth contrary to permit conditions.

COMPANY: John R. Anderson Oil, Bell Gardens

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Gasoline distributor

PENALTY: $12,000

VIOLATION: Operating diesel tanks and nozzles without a valid permit.

COMPANY: Chemoil Refining Corp., Signal Hill

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Refinery

PENALTY: $5,500

VIOLATION: Public nuisance violation due to odors; liquid leaking from a flange on a tank discharge line.

COMPANY: Schaefer’s Ambulance Service, Los Angeles

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Ambulance company

PENALTY: $5,000

VIOLATION: Failure to maintain adequate records of solvent usage.

COMPANY: Jack Farenbaugh & Sons Grading & Demolition, Sylmar

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Grading company

PENALTY: $4,500

VIOLATION: Failure to notify AQMD before demolishing a building structure containing asbestos; improper handling and removal of asbestos-containing material during demolition.

COMPANY: Antelope Valley Aggregate, Littlerock

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Rock crushing and gravel company

PENALTY: $3,500

VIOLATION: Failure to minimize dust emissions.

COMPANY: INCO, San Bernardino

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Gasoline distributor

PENALTY: $3,000

VIOLATION: Operating under an expired permit.