The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia late last week denied a challenge to EPA’s successful litigation of Clean Air Act vehicle importation violations, upholding the agency’s right to enforce the law and protect the public from dangerous air pollution.
Moreover the District Court also affirmed the $1,601,150 civil penalty assessed by the Administrative Law Judge. The challenge was brought by Taotao USA, Inc, Taotao Group Co., Ltd., and Jinyun County Xiangyuan Industry Co., Ltd. (plaintiffs).
“This case and the District Court’s decision sends a clear signal that EPA will hold companies accountable for failure to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act, requirements designed to protect human health and reduce harmful air pollution,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
The plaintiffs challenged an Environmental Appeals Board decision that affirmed plaintiffs violated Clean Air Act sections 203(a) and 213 by importing for sale 109,964 motorcycles and recreational vehicles with catalytic converters that did not comply with certification requirements. Certification requirements ensure that vehicles brought into commerce conform to design specifications for pollution control equipment.
“Producing vehicles for sale that do not match such specifications, such as nonconforming catalytic converters, undermines the integrity of the Clean Air Act certification scheme, designed to protect human health and air quality. Catalytic converters convert toxins into less harmful byproducts, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, and in so doing reduce harmful emissions that include hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide,” EPA said today.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Court Upholds EPA on Imports from Chinese Vehicle Makers
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia late last week denied a challenge to EPA’s successful litigation of Clean Air Act vehicle importation violations, upholding the agency’s right to enforce the law and protect the public from dangerous air pollution.
Moreover the District Court also affirmed the $1,601,150 civil penalty assessed by the Administrative Law Judge. The challenge was brought by Taotao USA, Inc, Taotao Group Co., Ltd., and Jinyun County Xiangyuan Industry Co., Ltd. (plaintiffs).
“This case and the District Court’s decision sends a clear signal that EPA will hold companies accountable for failure to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act, requirements designed to protect human health and reduce harmful air pollution,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
The plaintiffs challenged an Environmental Appeals Board decision that affirmed plaintiffs violated Clean Air Act sections 203(a) and 213 by importing for sale 109,964 motorcycles and recreational vehicles with catalytic converters that did not comply with certification requirements. Certification requirements ensure that vehicles brought into commerce conform to design specifications for pollution control equipment.
“Producing vehicles for sale that do not match such specifications, such as nonconforming catalytic converters, undermines the integrity of the Clean Air Act certification scheme, designed to protect human health and air quality. Catalytic converters convert toxins into less harmful byproducts, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, and in so doing reduce harmful emissions that include hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide,” EPA said today.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.