The California Air Resources Board levied a $500,000 fine against Anheuser Busch LLC, whose fleet is headquartered in San Diego, for violating the state's air pollution laws, the agency announced Monday.
According to the CARB, Anheuser Busch failed to properly inspect 19 diesel trucks, which then failed to meet the state's standards for diesel smoke emissions. The brewing company also failed to meet deadlines to comply with state standards, CARB announced.
Anheuser Busch agreed to pay the fine and will bring its vehicles into compliance with state standards, according to the state agency, which reported that the company will also require staff members who oversee diesel smoke inspection attend training classes and provide inspection details to the state for the next two years.
"California has some of the country's poorest air quality and because of this, our laws are tough to protect public health," said Todd Sax, the agency's enforcement division chief. "All businesses must do their part to ensure their fleets are fully compliant with California's anti-pollution regulations that are designed to clean our air and protect our children."
Half of the fine will support the state's research on air pollution and the other half will be used for the South L.A. Urban Greening and Community Forestry Project. As part of the project, the funding will be used to plant 300 trees in southern Los Angeles County over the next five years.
