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 November:
COMPANY: Super Shuttle, Los Angeles
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Airport ground transportation system
PENALTY: $75,000
VIOLATION: Failure to submit an AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan.
COMPANY: Ralph M. Parsons Co., Pasadena
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Engineering and construction firm
PENALTY: $60,500
VIOLATION: Failure to submit an AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan.
COMPANY: Upper Deck Co., Yorba Linda
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Print shop
PENALTY: $40,000
VIOLATION: Excessive hydrocarbons from solvent and coating operations.
COMPANY: Loram Maintenance of Way, Beaumont
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Railroad maintenance and repair company
PENALTY: $12,000
VIOLATION: Failure to minimize dust emissions.
COMPANY: GB Manufacturing, Pomona
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Fiberglass parts manufacturer
PENALTY: $10,000
VIOLATION: Operating spray-painting booths without a permit.
COMPANY: Swaner Hardwood, Burbank
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Building construction materials manufacturer
PENALTY: $10,000
VIOLATION: Failure to monitor excavated material for hydrocarbon contamination; improper handling of hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
COMPANY: Vic Montana, Robert Press, Barry Fisher, Van Nuys
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Land clearing and grading company
PENALTY: $10,000
VIOLATION: Failure to notify the AQMD before demolishing a building structure containing asbestos; improper handling and removal of asbestos-containing material during demolition.
COMPANY: Edgington Oil, Long Beach
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Refinery
PENALTY: $5,000
VIOLATION: Operating a furnace contrary to permit conditions.
COMPANY: Union Pacific Resources, Wilmington
COMPANY: Crude oil production facility
PENALTY: $5,000
VIOLATION: Public nuisance violation due to release of crude oil mist into the air.
COMPANY: Color-Tec Industrial Finishing, Pacoima
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Electronic parts painter
PENALTY: $4,750
VIOLATION: Exceeding paint usage limits during spray-painting operations; exceeding oven temperature limits.
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