CARB Cracks Down On Violations with Big Fines

The California Air Resources Board has fined the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and DBI Beverage Inc. for environmental violations relating to their diesel fleets.

by Staff

August 28, 2014

CARB Cracks Down On Violations with Big Fines

2 min to read

The Air Resources Board has fined the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and DBI Beverage Inc. for environmental violations relating to their diesel fleets.

CARB fined the LADPW $256,375 and DBI $116,400 for failure to comply with California air quality regulations.

The LADPW failed to properly self-inspect its diesel trucks to ensure they met state smoke emission standards. They also failed to properly affix Emission Control labels on the engines of their fleet vehicles and follow requirements of the Transit Fleet Vehicle and Public Agency and Utility Rules.

“This significant fine reflects the serious nature of LADPW’s violations,” said CARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. ”We hold public agencies accountable for their mistakes the same as we do private businesses.”

DBI was fined for failing to monitor their fleet as required by state law. It also failed to self-inspect its diesel trucks in 2011 and 2012 for state smoke emission standards and failed to properly affix Emission Control Labels on the engines of their fleet vehicles.

“While DBI Beverage Inc. did violate California’s air quality regulations, the company does not have a history of past violations and its representatives were fully cooperative,” said Ryden.

As part of the settlement agreement, the LADPW paid $192,281 and DBI paid $87,300 to the California Air Pollution Control fund. The LADPW paid $64,094 and DBI paid $29,100 to the Peralta Colleges Foundation.

In addition to the fines the LADPW must comply with the following:

Ensure that staff responsible for compliance with diesel truck maintenance attend CCDET diesel education courses
Instruct vehicle operators to comply with California idling regulations
Ensure that trucks have the most recent low-NOx software installed
Provide documentation to CARB that smoke opacity inspections are being conducted for the next three years
Ensure that all 1974 and newer diesel powered vehicles are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an Emission Control label

Topics:Food and Beverage Fleets Air Pollution California Fines Emissions CARB Green Fleet

More Green Fleet

Rendering of electric vehicles charging beneath a solar-panel canopy, illustrating Inspiration Mobility Group’s acquisition of Electrada assets to expand commercial fleet electrification services.

Green Fleet•by News/Media Release•June 17, 2026

Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets

Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.