SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board fined Bragg Investment Companies $31,500 this month for emissions violations during 2008.

An ARB investigation showed Bragg Investment Companies, based in Long Beach, Calif., failed to properly inspect their diesel-powered vehicles for excess emissions.

“Routine diesel inspections are a top priority in protecting California's air,” said ARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden. “Companies failing to conduct these inspections can lead to an increase of toxic diesel particulate matter in the air”.

The law requires owners of California-registered truck fleets to regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure that their engine emissions meet state air quality regulations.

Bragg Investment Companies is required to:

• Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the inspections attend a training class on diesel emissions compliance testing and provide certificates of completion within one year;
• Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years;
• Ensure all heavy-duty diesel vehicles have their software updated with the latest low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen emissions) programming;
• Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's idling regulations; and,
• Ensure all diesel truck engines are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an emission control certification label.

Bragg Investment Companies paid $31,500 in penalties: $23,625 went to the California Air Pollution Control Fund for projects and research to improve California's air quality. The Peralta Community College District received $7,875 to fund emissions education classes conducted by participating California community colleges.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death and other health problems.