LOS ANGELES — Got some trucks headed to California? Then you better be up to speed on California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations or you could end up with a hefty fine — $300,000 hefty.

According to a statement on CARB's website, Foster Enterprises, an Ontario, California-based reefer carrier, received a $300,000 fine after a CARB investigation found that the company neglected to upgrade older diesel engines in its refrigerated trailer fleet, violating emission standards. It's the first court-imposed fine under California's Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) regulation, initially announced in 2004.

The company will pay $200,000 and the remainder of the fine will be stayed, provided they comply with the terms set by the court, and keep their fleet updated as required.

CARB originally offered to settle the case for much less than the ultimate penalty, but because the company refused and continued to operate operate reefers powered by engines from the 1980s and 1990s, the matter was passed to the Attorney General for prosecution. Months after the deadline and in order to avoid a trial, the business owners sold their non-compliant units and leased cleaner TRU trailers.

“All business owners should pay attention to this case,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. “This company actually had to pay twice – once to comply with the law, and then again as a penalty. Had the owners complied originally, they would have saved us and
themselves significant time and money, and helped to keep a level playing field for their colleagues and competitors.”

For more information on the regulations, click here.