TOP AIR POLLUTION PENALTIES

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has responsibility to control air pollution. It can seek court-imposed fines against polluters of from $25 to $25,000 a day based on such factors as the extent that emissions exceed legal limits, potential danger to the public, whether the violation was intentional, accidental or due to negligence, and the company’s history of violations. These are the 10 top penalties in November:

COMPANY: Super Shuttle, Los Angeles

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Airport ground transportation system

PENALTY: $75,000

VIOLATION: Failure to submit an AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan.

COMPANY: Ralph M. Parsons Co., Pasadena

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Engineering and construction firm

PENALTY: $60,500

VIOLATION: Failure to submit an AQMD-approved ride-sharing plan.

COMPANY: Upper Deck Co., Yorba Linda

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Print shop

PENALTY: $40,000

VIOLATION: Excessive hydrocarbons from solvent and coating operations.

COMPANY: Loram Maintenance of Way, Beaumont

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Railroad maintenance and repair company

PENALTY: $12,000

VIOLATION: Failure to minimize dust emissions.

COMPANY: GB Manufacturing, Pomona

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Fiberglass parts manufacturer

PENALTY: $10,000

VIOLATION: Operating spray-painting booths without a permit.

COMPANY: Swaner Hardwood, Burbank

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Building construction materials manufacturer

PENALTY: $10,000

VIOLATION: Failure to monitor excavated material for hydrocarbon contamination; improper handling of hydrocarbon contaminated soil.

COMPANY: Vic Montana, Robert Press, Barry Fisher, Van Nuys

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Land clearing and grading company

PENALTY: $10,000

VIOLATION: Failure to notify the AQMD before demolishing a building structure containing asbestos; improper handling and removal of asbestos-containing material during demolition.

COMPANY: Edgington Oil, Long Beach

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Refinery

PENALTY: $5,000

VIOLATION: Operating a furnace contrary to permit conditions.

COMPANY: Union Pacific Resources, Wilmington

COMPANY: Crude oil production facility

PENALTY: $5,000

VIOLATION: Public nuisance violation due to release of crude oil mist into the air.

COMPANY: Color-Tec Industrial Finishing, Pacoima

TYPE OF BUSINESS: Electronic parts painter

PENALTY: $4,750

VIOLATION: Exceeding paint usage limits during spray-painting operations; exceeding oven temperature limits.