The idiocy of the Republican party trying to shut down Homeland Security is beyond belief.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection – CBP – seized or sent back 730 ATVs, motorcycles and generators without proper emission controls in violation of the Federal Clean Air Act. EPA estimates that the non-compliant vehicles and engines would have emitted more than 350,000 pounds of pollutants per year.
The action, mostly against Chinese companies, comes as Republicans are trying to shut down Homeland Security, which played a key role in the case. CBP is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security that controls and protects our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. The GOP’s failure to capture the popular vote for five of the last six presidential elections looks to be headed to six.
CBP has regulatory authority over imports, re-export, and seizure and forfeiture of unlawful products entering the U.S. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
“Small engines mean big emissions, so we have to be extra vigilant when allowing their entry into our country,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This initiative marks a new chapter in our efforts to prevent air pollution from vehicles and engines.”
- The eight EPA cases are against:
Nan Fang Distribution Group, LLC- Nan Fang imported 26 uncertified compression ignition engines. The engines, imported as parts, lacked the proper emissions certifications and labels. The engines ranged in horsepower and could be used in trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine applications. Nan Fang was required to export all engine models in its inventory that were in violation out of the country. - Kandi USA – Kandi imported 64 uncertified ATVs and go-karts. The non-road vehicles also contained catalysts that did not conform to the description in the company’s application for certification. EPA required the company to export all ATVs and go-karts in its inventory that were in violation out of the country.
- Vantage Vehicle International – Vantage imported 21 uncertified non-road vehicles such as mini trucks, whose catalysts did not conform to the description in the company’s application for certification. The company was required to submit a report to EPA correcting its application for certification.
- Dongfang Motor- Dongfang imported 52 uncertified ATVs. EPA required the company to export all ATVs in violation out of the country.
- Dynamic Power Equipment – Dynamic Power imported 145 uncertified gasoline or tri-fuel generators that either were not covered by an evaporative emissions certificate or contained catalysts that did not conform to the description in the application for certification. EPA required the company to export the generators in violation out of the country.
- Alliance Powersports – Alliance Powersports imported 36 uncertified gas powered highway motorcycles that were not covered by an EPA certificate of conformity that shows that the vehicles meet applicable federal emissions standards and requirements. The company was required to export all motorcycles out of the country.
- Denebola Motor Sports USA – Denebola imported 14 uncertified highway motorcycles and did not have the correct documentation or engine labeling to demonstrate appropriate use of the vehicles. The company demonstrated that the motorcycles were imported for research and development, and not to be sold for on road use and were provided with the necessary exemption information.
- Sanven Corporation – Sanven imported 52 uncertified outboard engines and 55 uncertified small spark-ignition engines. EPA required the company to export all 107 engines out of the country.
The Clean Air Act prohibits the importation or sale of any new engines or vehicles unless they are certified by EPA to meet federal emission standards. An EPA-issued certificate of conformity must cover every vehicle and engine sold in the U.S. To obtain certificates of conformity, manufacturers or importers must submit an application to EPA that describes the engine or vehicle, including its emission control system.
The application must also provide emissions data demonstrating that the engines and vehicles will meet applicable federal emission standards. For more information about importing vehicles and engines into the United States.
CBP is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. It has regulatory authority for merchandise importation, re-export, seizure and forfeiture of unlawful products entering the U.S. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
