Company Agrees to Pay Penalty & Implement Compliance Program to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations

Tractor Supply Company (Tractor Supply Company Inc. and Tractor Supply Company of Texas L.P.) agreed to a settlement offered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – from DOJ news release:

that resolves allegations that the companies imported and sold more than 28,000 all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and engines that did not comply with federal  Clean Air Act certification and emission information labeling requirements.  Under the settlement, Tractor Supply Company will implement a compliance plan to prevent future violations and mitigation projects to reduce air pollution.  Tractor Supply Company will also pay a $775,000 civil penalty.

The Clean Air Act requires that every vehicle and engine sold in the United States be covered by a valid, EPA-issued certificate of conformity, which manufacturers obtain by certifying that vehicles meet applicable federal emissions standards for various pollutants.

EPA and the Justice Department alleged that from 2006 to 2009, Tractor Supply Company imported from China and sold in the U.S. over 28,000 vehicles and engines, representing at least 10 vehicle and engine models, that varied from the certificates of conformity that had been submitted to EPA.

The Settlement from the news release:

The settlement requires Tractor Supply Company to implement a rigorous corporate compliance plan that requires regular vehicle and engine inspections, emissions and catalyst testing, staff training and reporting for five years. Tractor Supply Company will also mitigate potential adverse environmental effects of equipment already sold to consumers, which is estimated by EPA to be up to 23.5 tons of excess hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions and 12.2 tons of excess carbon monoxide emissions.

To read all the details: DOJ news release