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 $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 caused by negligence and the company’s history of violations. These are the 10 top penalties in September: COMPANY: Powerine Oil Co., Santa Fe Springs TYPE OF BUSINESS: Petroleum refinery PENALTY: $50,000 VIOLATION: Excessive reactive organic compound and nitrogen oxide emissions, failure to obtain permits to operate, public nuisance violation from odors, violating other regulations for refinery emissions. The firm will spend an additional $225,000 to pollution beyond AQMD’s requirements. *COMPANY: The New Otani Hotel and Gardens, Los Angeles TYPE OF BUSINESS: Hotel PENALTY: $12,000 VIOLATION: Failure to submit an updated AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan by the date due, failure to implement and monitor incentives offered in its approved plan. *COMPANY: Bandag Licensing Inc., Long Beach TYPE OF BUSINESS: Rubber mixing PENALTY: $7,500 VIOLATION: Failure to submit an air toxics inventory report. *COMPANY: Mobil Oil Corp., Torrance TYPE OF BUSINESS: Oil refinery PENALTY: $5,000 VIOLATION: Violating permit conditions. *COMPANY: INDOPCO Inc./National Starch & Chemical Co., Commerce TYPE OF BUSINESS: Chemical maker PENALTY: $5,000 VIOLATION: Failure to send a report on its emissions inventory plan to AQMD by the deadline. *COMPANY: Vista Consolidated Inc., San Bernardino TYPE OF BUSINESS: Camper shell maker PENALTY: $4,000 VIOLATION: Public nuisance violation from release of contaminants, failure to keep daily records. *COMPANY: Mobil Oil Corp., Torrance TYPE OF BUSINESS: Oil refinery PENALTY: $3,500 VIOLATION: Excessive particulate emissions. *COMPANY: Mobil Oil Corp., Torrance TYPE OF BUSINESS: Oil refinery PENALTY: $3,000 VIOLATION: Excessive vapors from a gasoline storage tank. *COMPANY: Mondrian Hotel, West Hollywood TYPE OF BUSINESS: Hotel PENALTY: $3,000 VIOLATION: Failure to submit an AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan. *COMPANY: Gemline Frame Co., Los Angeles TYPE OF BUSINESS: Picture frame maker PENALTY: $2,500 VIOLATION: Failure to obtain permits to operate and install drying equipment, intermittent excessive reactive organic compound emissions from coatings and solvents usage. *COMPANY: H.B. Covey Inc., Irvine TYPE OF BUSINESS: Environmental consultants PENALTY: $2,500 VIOLATION: Failure to notify AQMD of contaminated soil within 24 hours of detection, failure to implement soil mitigation measures, excavating contaminated soil contrary to conditions of the mitigation plan. *COMPANY: National Car Rental, Los Angeles TYPE OF BUSINESS: Car rental firm PENALTY: $2,500 VIOLATION: Failure to submit an updated AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan. *COMPANY: Ronan Engineering/HS Enameling, North Hollywood TYPE OF BUSINESS: Metal parts paint shop PENALTY: $2,500 VIOLATION: Excessive reactive organic compound emissions from coatings and solvents.