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Category Archives: litigation
Clean Air Act – Prison for Man Disabling Emissions Controls
A man was sentenced today for ongoing violations of the Clean Air Act through an aftermarket scheme to disable the emissions control systems of diesel trucks. Davis Owens, 34, of Cleves, Ohio was sentenced to serve 30 days in prison, seven months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, environment, fools 'n frauds, litigation, people, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, clean air act, Davis Owens, emissions controls of diesel trucks, Holderdown Performance, Ken Zino, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, U.S. Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division
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Hyundai Capital America Fined for Civil Rights Violations
“Members of our Armed Forces should not have to worry about having their cars repossessed while they are in military service,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, litigation, news analysis
Tagged Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Civil Rights Violations, DOJ Civil Rights Division, Hyundai Capital America, Ken Zino, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, U.S. Justice Department
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SEC Gets Final Judgment Against Volkswagen on Dieselgate
The final judgment orders VWGOAF to pay $34.35 million in disgorgement and $14.4 million in prejudgment interest. Following the entry of the final judgment, the SEC dismissed its outstanding claims against VWGOAF’s ultimate parent company, Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen AG’s former CEO, Martin Winterkorn. The Court had previously dismissed the SEC’s claims against VW Credit, Inc. on 20 August 2020. These actions have resolved the SEC’s case against Volkswagen in its entirety. Continue reading
Posted in environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, marketing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, sec, Securities Act of 1933, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Volkswagen Group of America Finance, VWGOAF
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UAW Files Anti-Labor Charges in Germany Against Mercedes
“MBUSI’s actions not only violate U.S., German and international law, they also violate Mercedes-Benz’s Principles of Social Responsibility and Human Rights. Those principles state: In the event of organization campaigns, the company and its executives shall remain neutral; the trade unions and the company will ensure that employees can make an independent decision” the UAW said.
“Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive anti-union campaign against U.S. autoworkers in Alabama is a clear human rights violation under the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains. If found guilty, Mercedes-Benz faces billions in penalties, including significant fines and bans on government contracts,” the UAW said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, people
Tagged Alabama football Coach Nick Saban, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, German law on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains, Ken Zino, LkSG, Mercedes-Benz Principles of Social Responsibility and Human Rights, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, UAW Files Anti-Labor Charges in Germany Against Mercedes-Benz
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EPA Issues PFAS Test Order with Immediate Effect
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today has issued its fourth Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test order requiring testing on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy. The order requires the 3M Company and Wacker Chemical Corporation to conduct and submit testing on the physical-chemical properties of NMeFOSE,* Chemical Abstract Service Reference Number: 24448-09-7, including testing on the health effects following its inhalation. Continue reading
Posted in environment, litigation, news, news analysis, public health, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, Ken Zino, Michal Freedhoff, N-Methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido ethanol, NMeFOSE, Toxic Substances Control Act
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EPA Finalizes Vehicle Pollution Standards for 2027-32
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. The standards will have significant effects on the types of vehicles available, how much they cost to buy, own and operate, as well as the economy and public health in a politically dysfunctional country. Let the lawsuits commence, particularly from anti-environmentalists, the Republican party, and fossil fuel funded groups.
“With transportation as the largest source of U.S. climate emissions, these strongest-ever pollution standards for cars solidify America’s leadership in building a clean transportation future and creating good-paying American jobs, all while advancing President Biden’s historic climate agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The standards will slash over 7 billion tons of climate pollution, improve air quality in overburdened communities, and give drivers more clean vehicle choices while saving them money. Under President Biden’s leadership, this Administration is pairing strong standards with historic investments to revitalize domestic manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains and create good-paying jobs.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, cafe, epa, greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas standards, Inflation Reduction Act, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, uaw
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EPA Finally Bans Chrysotile Asbestos
“Today’s rule is a positive first step to give all Americans a future free of exposure to asbestos – a carcinogen that has killed far too many. This dangerous substance has been banned in more than 50 countries around the world, and the United States is finally starting to catch up. An immediate ban on the import of chrysotile asbestos for the chlor-alkali industry is a long overdue step forward for public health. However, it cannot be the end of the road when it comes to phasing out other dangerous asbestos fibers, and Congress has a role to play here when it comes to providing stronger protections for our health,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, environment, litigation, news analysis, public health, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, chlor-alkali sector, chrysotile asbestos, Ken Zino, nuclear materials disposal, radioactive materials
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Cummins Settles California Diesel Emissions Case at $46M
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced a $46 million settlement with engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. The settlement resolves DOJ and CARB’s claims for violations of California engine emissions control and certification requirements. Cummins made undisclosed changes to ~120,000 engines in California after CARB had certified the engines for sale. In addition, ~2000 Cummins engines had undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices that altered the emissions control system and resulted in emissions that exceeded regulatory limits. This case signals CARB’s improving vehicle testing skills and use of technology to catch and correct air quality violations. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Department of Justice, Death of the diesel, Dr. Steven Cliff, Ken Zino
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Cummins Diesel Penalties Finalized in $1.675B Settlement
“Cummins installed illegal defeat devices on more than 600,000 RAM pickup trucks, which exposed overburdened communities across America to harmful air pollution,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Continue reading
Posted in environment, fools 'n frauds, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, transportation
Tagged 2013-2023 RAM 2500 and RAM 3500 pickup trucks with Cummins diesel engines, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, cummins, David M. Uhlmann, Death of the diesel, Ken Zino
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Cummins to Pay $1.675B for Clean Air Act Violations
“Today, the Justice Department reached an initial agreement with Cummins Inc. to settle claims that, over the past decade, the company unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of engines to bypass emissions tests in violation of the Clean Air Act. As part of the agreement, the Justice Department will require Cummins to pay $1.675 billion, the largest civil penalty we have ever secured under the Clean Air Act, and the second largest environmental penalty ever secured,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis, public health
Tagged Attorney General Merrick Garland, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, clean air act, cummins, Death of the diesel, emissions defeat devices, Ken Zino, model year 2013 to 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck diesel engines, model year 2019 to 2023 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck diesel engines
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EPA Fines Calumet Montana Refining for Chemical Abuses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as entered into a Clean Air Act settlement where Calumet Montana Refining will pay a $385,000 penalty and address violations of Risk Management Program (RMP) requirements at its petroleum refining facility in Great Falls, Montana.
“Facilities must properly handle hazardous substances to prevent dangerous chemical accidents and follow reporting requirements when releases occur,” said Suzanne Bohan, director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “If they don’t, EPA will hold them accountable. We are pleased that Calumet Montana Refining is implementing critical safety measures to protect workers and the community.” Continue reading
Briggs and Stratton Settles With CARB For Off-Road Emissions
The California Air Resources Board has reached a settlement agreement with Briggs and Stratton of Milwaukee, WI., a significant producer of engines for outdoor power equipment, for $117,314. This was for the company’s violations of the Small Off-Road Engine (SORE) Regulation. The regulation limits emissions of oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons from spark-ignited, small off-road engines, including those found in landscape equipment, small power tools, and portable generators. Continue reading
Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis, public health
Tagged and portable generators, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Briggs and Stratton engines sold in California, Dr. Steven Cliff, Ken Zino, landscape equipment, small off-road engine emissions violations, small power tools, SORE
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Norfolk Southern Settles East Palestine Derailment with EPA
“No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again. Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer, and waterways will be cleaner,” Regan said. Continue reading →