In Nashville, Diesel Performance Parts Inc. (DPPI) has been handed a $320,000 fine for distributing emissions defeat devices that bypass anti-pollution systems in diesel vehicles. The settlement, announced by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency, highlights the ongoing fight against practices that undermine air quality standards. The devices sold by DPPI directly violate the Clean Air Act by disabling emissions control systems in motor vehicles, leading to increased pollutants being released into the atmosphere.
According to a Justice Department statement, DPPI is now compelled to notify dealers and customers who purchased these defeat devices and is required to remove any marketing materials promoting such products. Todd Kim, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), asserted, "Defeat devices violate the Clean Air Act and cause a vehicle to contribute significantly higher amounts of pollutants into the air." He further clarified the government's position on upholding laws designed to protect the environment and public health.
Emission controls are critical for reducing the release of harmful pollutants from vehicles. However, the defeat devices sold by DPPI counteract these controls, causing an escalation of air pollution. The EPA has placed a high priority on stopping the sale of illegal defeat devices, as such actions interfere with nationwide efforts to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. An EPA study indicated that known sales of these devices have resulted in substantial excess emissions including over 570,000 tons of nitrogen oxides and 5,000 tons of particulate matter from diesel trucks between 2009 and 2020.
The implications of increased pollutants due to these illegal devices are not abstract; they are very real and harmful. Health effects linked to the excess emissions include premature deaths, aggravated respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, exacerbation of asthma, and lung cancer among others. "These illegal practices contribute to harmful air pollution and impede federal, state, and local efforts to implement air quality standards that protect public health," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle for Region 4, while discussing the investigations led by EPA, according to the press release. The consequences are further felt in the Southeastern region, where mobile source emissions are particularly impactful on air quality.
The consent decree entered into the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee signifies a clear message to corporations engaging in environmentally detrimental practices — compliance is non-negotiable. The U.S. Department of Justice hosts further details regarding the consent decree, and the public is invited to submit their comments during a 30-day period. Lawyers from ENRD's Environmental Enforcement Section have been tasked with handling the case as the government remains vigilant in ensuring clean air for present and future generations.
