SACRAMENTO – A Southern California trash hauling company has agreed to pay more than  $75,000 in penalties in connection with violating state air quality regulations.

   "Diesel particulate is one of the state's most pervasive air pollutants," said Michael Kenny, executive officer of California Environmental protection Agency's Air Resources Board (ARB).  "This settlement sends the clear message that ARB's self-inspection program must be taken seriously," he added.

    An investigation by the ARB showed that Waste Management Collection & Recycling, Inc. of Santa Ana failed to properly self-inspect their diesel trucks to assure the trucks met state smoke emission standards. ARB found 43 vehicles that had not been subjected to the PSI inspections.  Of those that were tested, Waste Management used a smoke opacity meter that was not in proper working order.

    The ARB presented investigation results to the Orange County District Attorney's (DA) office, which filed a consumer protection suit against the trash company.  The DA's suit against Waste Management was settled in Orange County Superior Court.

    The ARB's Periodic Smoke Inspection (PSI) Program requires diesel fleet managers to self-inspect their trucks once a year to assure the vehicles meet state smoke standards.

    To settle the case Waste Management agreed to the $75,000 penalty and to comply with the PSI program.  The trash hauling company has also paid the ARB an additional $1200 in penalties for vehicles that were checked by ARB inspectors and failed to meet smoke emission standards.