Bimbo Bakeries Settlement
$305,250 in Fines Paid by Bimbo Bakeries
The California Air Resources Board last week fined Bimbo Bakeries USA of Fort Worth, Texas, $305,250 for air quality violations that occurred in 2006 and 2007. ARB fleet inspectors cited Bimbo Bakeries, part of Grupo Bimbo, an international bakery leader, for failing to test their diesel trucks for excess emissions at 58 fleet facilities around the state. As part of the settlement, Bimbo Bakeries must guarantee employees that are responsible for conducting the inspections attend a mandatory class on diesel emissions testing and recordkeeping and provide certificates of completion within one year. Also provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years and instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's idling regulations. Revise truck engine software with the latest Low-NOx programming; and ensure that all diesel trucks are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an engine certification label. Bimbo Bakeries paid $305,250 in penalties; $228,937.50 to the California Air Pollution Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California's air quality, and $76,312.50 to the Peralta Community College District to fund diesel emissions education courses