
The towing company in question was fined a significant amount for not meeting emissions standards. The fine was a result of the company's participation in a government emissions scheme.
The scheme aimed to reduce emissions from heavy vehicles, which are a major contributor to air pollution. The towing company had been required to implement emissions-reducing technologies on their vehicles.
The company had failed to meet the necessary standards, resulting in the fine. The fine was substantial, with the exact amount not specified in the article.
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Towing Company Fined
The towing company, Affordable Towing in Springfield, was fined for violating the federal Clean Air Act. The owner, Dennis Cleveland, pleaded guilty to two counts related to the violation.
The modification of diesel trucks to remove emissions control systems occurred between July 2020 and October 2022. This allowed the company to avoid installing and maintaining the required devices under the Clean Air Act.
Cleveland bought straight pipes, race pipes, and exhaust gas recirculation delete kits to modify the vehicles. He also downloaded software that tampered with the diagnostic systems' reports of emissions on the trucks.
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The Clean Air Act is designed to protect the nation's air quality by reducing vehicle emissions that release pollutants. These pollutants can cause cancer, lung, neurological, cardiovascular, and immune system damage.
The maximum penalty for the first charge of conspiracy is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The second charge of tampering with a Clean Air Act device carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Federal Regulations
Federal regulations play a crucial role in preventing emissions removal. The Clean Air Act (CAA) prohibits tampering with devices or elements of design installed on motor vehicles to comply with CAA regulations.
Specifically, the CAA prohibits knowingly removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design. This includes Vehicle Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) systems, which are required under the CAA. The CAA also prohibits manufacturing or selling parts or components for motor vehicles that defeat emission controls.
Financial penalties for violating these regulations are significant. Dealers can be fined over $5,000 per tampered vehicle, while those who sell or install devices to defeat emission controls can face fines of over $5,000 per defeat device.
Emissions Scheme Leads to Max Penalty

In a recent case, two trucking companies and four individuals were sentenced for violating the Clean Air Act by "deleting" emissions controls on trucks.
The companies, Accurate Truck Service, LLC and Griffin Transport, were ordered to pay a combined maximum fine of $1 million, or $500,000 each.
Accurate Truck Service's website describes its owner, Douglas Larsen, as starting a diesel repair shop, which merged with Griffin in 2008.
The owners of Griffin, Craig Scholten and Ryan Bos, were each fined $6,000 and sentenced to a four-month term of home detention.
Accurate owner Douglas Larsen was also fined $7,500 and given a one-year probation sentence with two months of house arrest.
The process of "emissions delete" can "improve performance and fuel economy and save maintenance costs, but also causes significant detrimental environmental impacts."
Diesel Freak "reprogrammed the engine computers of the trucks so that they would continue to function even after the hardware was removed or altered."
The defendants in this case ignored the health and environmental laws designed to protect communities from air pollution, according to Acting Special Agent in Charge Lisa Matovic.
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Federal Law Prohibitions

Federal law prohibits several acts related to tampering with and defeating emission controls in motor vehicles.
The Clean Air Act (CAA) specifically prohibits anyone from knowingly removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design that had previously been installed on a motor vehicle or engine to comply with CAA regulations. This includes Vehicle Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) systems, which are required under the CAA.
Manufacturing or selling devices that can defeat emission controls is also prohibited. This includes parts or components for motor vehicles that are designed to evade emission control requirements.
Violations of these laws can result in significant financial penalties. Dealers can be fined over $5,000 per tampered vehicle, and those who sell or install devices to defeat emission controls can be fined over $5,000 per defeat device.
Here are the key prohibited acts:
- Knowingly removing or rendering inoperative any device or element of design installed to comply with CAA regulations.
- Manufacturing or selling parts or components designed to evade emission control requirements.
- Falsifying, tampering with, rendering inaccurate, or failing to install any "monitoring device or method" required under the CAA.
Federal Enforcement
Federal enforcement of environmental regulations is a serious business. The Clean Air Act (CAA) has strict penalties for those who tamper with or defeat emissions controls.

Violations of the CAA can result in significant financial penalties. The maximum fine for selling or installing devices to defeat emission controls is over $5,000 per device, and dealers can be fined over $5,000 per tampered vehicle.
The EPA has settled over 100 civil tampering cases, and the Department of Justice has won jail terms and high fines in criminal cases. This shows that federal enforcement is taking a tough stance against polluters.
Here are some examples of the maximum fines imposed on companies that have been caught tampering with emissions controls:
The CAA also prohibits the manufacture or sale of parts or components for motor vehicles that are designed to defeat emissions controls. This includes reprogramming engine computers to continue functioning after hardware components have been removed or altered.
The federal government is taking a strong stance against emissions tampering, and those who break the law will face serious consequences.
Company Response

The towing company in question has issued a statement regarding the emissions removal fine. They claim to be taking steps to rectify the situation.
The company has stated that they will be investing in new, cleaner technology to reduce their emissions. This includes the implementation of electric and hybrid vehicles.
They have also announced plans to retrofit their existing fleet with emissions-reducing equipment. This move is expected to significantly decrease their carbon footprint.
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Springfield Towing Company Alters Trucks
The Springfield towing company, Affordable Towing, altered their trucks to violate the Clean Air Act.
Dennis Cleveland, the owner, pleaded guilty to two counts related to this violation.
For at least two years, from July 2020 to October 2022, Cleveland oversaw the modification and deletion of emissions control systems on diesel trucks.
This was done to avoid the expense of installing and maintaining devices required under the Clean Air Act.
Cleveland bought straight pipes, race pipes, and exhaust gas recirculation delete kits to modify the vehicles.

He also downloaded software that tampered with diagnostic systems reports of emissions on the trucks.
The Clean Air Act is designed to protect the nation's air quality by reducing vehicle emissions that release pollutants.
Diesel exhaust is one of the largest sources of particulate matter and other pollutants, according to federal prosecutors.
The first charge of conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The second charge of tampering with a Clean Air Act device carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Citizen Suits
Citizen Suits can be a powerful tool for enforcing the Clean Air Act. A U.S. District Judge ruled in favor of citizen plaintiffs against the Diesel Brothers.
The case involved the Diesel Brothers removing pollution control equipment from diesel trucks and installing defective emission control equipment. This led to 400 violations that contributed to the failure of some counties in northern Utah to achieve air quality standards.

The Diesel Brothers were ordered to pay $848,000 in penalties for these air pollution violations. The ruling was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
This case highlights the effectiveness of citizen suits in enforcing the Clean Air Act. The outcome demonstrates that individuals can hold companies accountable for their actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for emissions delete?
Fines for emissions delete can reach up to $5,000 per non-emissions part. This penalty applies regardless of local emissions testing requirements.
Can you get in trouble for DPF delete?
Yes, performing a DPF delete is illegal and can result in fines and tickets if caught. However, some drivers take the risk to potentially improve their vehicle's fuel efficiency.
Sources
- https://www.overdriveonline.com/regulations/article/15636891/emissions-delete-scheme-repair-shop-fleet-get-max-1m-fine
- https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/2023/03/14/feds-say-springfield-towing-company-violated-clean-air-act/70002939007/
- https://cleanairnortheast.epa.gov/tampering.html
- https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/04/26/semi-emissions-controls/70154766007/
- https://www.diesellaptops.com/blogs/news/emission-deletes-and-tunes
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