SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board, US Department of Justice and US Environmental Protection Agency joined forces to prosecute MTU America Inc. for selling uncertified large engines used in mining operations, resulting in a $1.5 million settlement which includes $300K to ARB to be used to fund school bus upgrades and air quality research.

“The Air Resources Board’s primary mission is to protect public health and that means ensuring that equipment sold in California meets our stringent emissions standards,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden.  “Under terms of this settlement, MTU agrees to meet all applicable ARB requirements prior to selling these engines in California.”

In November 2008, Michigan-based MTU reported to ARB and US EPA irregularities that occurred during durability testing on specific engine varieties.  For more information on the case, see MTU America Inc., Agrees to Conduct Proper Testing to Ensure Engines Meet Air Pollution Standards  (http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/B9505C78DCFC29F485257E12005E0550)

As outlined in its settlement agreement, MTU, formerly known as Tognum America Inc., and a wholly owned subsidiary of Rolls Royce Power Systems AG, will pay $225,000 to the Air Pollution Control Fund to support air quality research, and $75,000 to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to help fund the retrofit of diesel-powered school buses with particulate filters. 

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and more than 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.