2023-12-22 19:19:05
Cummins Inc. has reached an agreement with the federal government and California to resolve claims related to its emissions certification and compliance process for certain engines used primarily in truck applications.
According to the Justice Department, Cummins agreed to pay a $1.675 million fine to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act by installing “emissions defeat” devices in hundreds of thousands of engines.
Cummins said it “has fully cooperated with the relevant regulators, has already addressed many of the issues involved and looks forward to obtaining certainty as this lengthy matter concludes.”
Cummins also said it conducted an extensive internal review and worked collaboratively with regulators for more than four years, adding that it “has seen no evidence that anyone acted in bad faith and does not admit wrongdoing.”
The Justice Department said Cummins allegedly installed defeat devices in 630,000 RAM 2500 and 3500 truck engines from model years 2013 through 2019. The company also allegedly installed undisclosed auxiliary emissions control devices in 330,000 RAM 2500 and 3500 truck engines. 3500 from model years 2019 to 2023.
Cummins noted that it has already recalled RAM 2500 and 3500 trucks from the 2019 model year and initiated a recall of RAM 2500 and 3500 trucks from the 2013 to 2018 model years, and previously accrued a total of $59 million for the estimated costs to execute these and others related. remember.
Cummins expects to record a charge of approximately $2.04 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 to resolve these and other related matters involving approximately one million pickup applications in the United States. Of this amount, approximately $1.93 billion relates to payments expected to be made in the first half of 2024.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said the $1.675 million fine is “the largest civil fine we have ever obtained under the Clean Air Act, and the second largest environmental fine ever awarded.
“The types of devices we allege Cummins installed in its engines to circumvent federal environmental laws have a significant and harmful impact on people’s health and safety,” Garland added.
“For example, in this case, our preliminary estimates suggest that defeat devices on some Cummins engines have caused them to produce thousands of tons of excessive nitrogen oxide emissions.
“The cascading effect of these pollutants can, following prolonged exposure, cause respiratory problems such as asthma and respiratory infections.”
Garland concluded that such a sanction “should make clear that the Department of Justice will be aggressive in its efforts to hold accountable those who seek to profit at the expense of people’s health and safety.”
1703312871
#problems #Cummins #produces #engines #Ram #trucks
