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 three companies that incurred violations resulting in penalites of $2,500 or greater in September: COMPANY: Endocrine Sciences, Calabasas TYPE OF BUSINESS: Medical laboratory PENALTY: $13,500 VIOLATION: Failure to implement incentives in its AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan; failure to submit its revised ride-sharing plan by its due date. *

COMPANY: American Racing Equipment, Rancho Dominguez TYPE OF BUSINESS: Wheel maker PENALTY: $5,000 VIOLATION: Public nuisance violation from smoke and odors. *

COMPANY: Allwaste Environmental Services Inc., Carson TYPE OF BUSINESS: Degassing company PENALTY: $2,500 VIOLATION: Operating air pollution control equipment for three days without a valid permit to operate.