WASHINGTON The United States, on behalf of the…
WASHINGTON – The United States, on behalf of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil
complaint against MotorScience, Inc. and the owner of the company,
in the United States District Court for the Central District of
California, for allegedly causing the importation of more than
24,000 uncertified vehicles that do not comply with the Clean Air
Act’s requirements, the EPA announced. Engines operating
without proper emissions controls can emit excess carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen which can cause respiratory
illnesses, aggravate asthma and contribute to the formation of
ground level ozone, or smog.
The complaint alleges that MotorScience, an engine certification
services consulting firm located in California, used false or
incomplete information to obtain Clean Air Act certificates of
conformity for four of its clients. The certificates allowed the
importation and sale of more than 24,000 recreational vehicles in
the United States. EPA previously voided 12 certificates submitted
by MotorScience on behalf of the four clients. The complaint
alleges that vehicles imported under these voided certificates
violate the Clean Air Act. The complaint further alleges that
MotorScience caused its clients to fail to create and maintain
records, which its clients were required to keep under the Clean
Air Act.
The Clean Air Act prohibits any vehicle or engine from being
imported and sold in the United States unless it is covered by an
EPA-issued certificate of conformity indicating that the vehicle or
engine meets applicable emission standards. The certificate of
conformity is the primary way EPA ensures that imported vehicles
and engines meet emission standards.
The complaint seeks civil penalties
and actions by the company to remedy the violations and mitigate
any excess pollutant emissions caused by the violations. This
enforcement action is part of an ongoing effort by EPA to ensure
that all imported vehicles and equipment comply with the Clean Air
Act’s requirements.
More information on EPA’s Clean
Air Act Mobile Source Enforcement programs: http://epa.gov/enforcement/civil/caa/caaenfprog.html#mobile
Read the press release:
EPA Voids Certificates Approving Import of Up
to 200,000 Small Recreational Vehicles /Agency may levy
penalties:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/536947c975312e39852577520063c927!OpenDocument