SACRAMENTO, CA --- The California Air Resources Board has fined Sturgeon & Son Inc. $14,500 for emissions violations during 2007 and 2008.

An ARB investigation concluded that Sturgeon & Son Inc., based in Bakersfield, failed to properly inspect some of its diesel vehicles, as required by California law. Sturgeon & Son specializes in heavy equipment earthwork projects, hazardous waste removal and transportation, and grading and paving services.

"Diesel exhaust contains toxic particles that are dangerous to human health," said ARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden. "Every effort companies make to keep their heavy-duty diesel vehicles in compliance with ARB's regulations helps to save lives."

The law requires owners of California-registered truck fleets to regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure that their engine emissions meet state air quality regulations.

As part of the settlement, Sturgeon & Son is required to:

• Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the inspections attend a mandatory California community college class on diesel emissions and provide certificates of completion within one year

• Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years

• Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state's idling regulations

• Revise all heavy-duty truck engine software with the latest low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen emissions) programming

• Ensure that all diesel trucks are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an emission control label.