SACRAMENTO – Malibu Boats, LLC (Malibu) of Loudon, Tenn., has agreed to a settlement of $496,500 for violating California air quality regulations.

The California Air Resources Board's (CARB) investigation found that Malibu failed to pass the engine durability test and sold uncertified spark-ignition marine engines as specified under the Spark-Ignition Marine Engine Regulation. The company tried to certify its engines to a voluntary emissions standard that was the cleanest standard available and received a conditional executive order that allowed it to begin selling vessels prior to the completion of certification tests. However, the engines failed to meet all certification standards.

“California’s emissions regulations are in place to clean our air and protect public health. All violations impact those efforts. CARB staff are dedicated to identifying and investigating violations to help reduce the state’s air pollution and the number of illnesses caused by poor air quality,” said CARB Interim Enforcement Division Chief Heather Quiros.

Malibu was fully cooperative in resolving the matter. The company’s settlement includes a $248,250 civil penalty that will go to CARB’s Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California's air quality. The remaining $248,250 will fund a Supplemental Environmental Project in Placer County to improve air filtration systems in local schools to reduce children's exposure to particulate matter.