July 02, 2008
California Fines City of Pasadena Over Fleet Diesel Vehicle Inspections
PASADENA, CA – The California Air Resources Board officials have slapped Pasadena with the $23,250 fine for not properly inspecting emissions from its fleet of diesel vehicles, according to the Pasadena Star-News.
However, the Air Resources Board spokesman said the one-time violation doesn’t mean the city’s fleet is emitting excessive pollution. Rather, the city failed to keep 2005 inspection records updated for its fleet of Public Works Department diesel vehicles.
However, the city had been extremely cooperative in fixing the problem, according to the report. The board initially charged Pasadena a higher fine, but it was reduced by 25 percent as part of a settlement. Several city employees also were required to attend diesel emissions classes.
City public information officer Ann Erdman said the violation was the result of a combination of an inspector leaving the city’s employ and a paperwork mix-up. The city has already paid the fine, and the employees have completed the classes.
The violation came from records that were missing for 2005. The city did provide complete records for 2006. In September 2006, the City Council passed a “Green Cities Declaration,” announcing Pasadena’s desire to become a “five-star” green city under the United Nations’ Green Cities Declaration classification system.
Pasadena’s $23,250 fine will go to good use, at least. About $17,000 of Pasadena’s $23,250 fine will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, with the rest going to the Peralta Community College District to fund emission education.