WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Georgia federal court has fined Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas Inc,. $1.9 million for importing engines from Korea that surpass the Clean Air Act's air emissions standards and for plotting to deceive and interfere with the EPA's enforcement of the standards.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), despite being advised by the company's paid consultant to stop the importing of the noncompliance engines, Hyundai continued to import them. Hyundai also took part in a "transition program" that allowed the importing of a certain amount of non-compliant engines as long as they were reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the company went beyond its allowance, the DOJ said.
“This case underscores the necessity for foreign companies that opt to do business in the United States to comply with our Nation’s laws developed to protect human health and the environment,” DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division assistant attorney general Jeffrey Clark said in a statement. “A self-reporting regime, such as the one here, depends upon the honesty and integrity of the regulated parties."
“Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas tried to increase its profits by illegally importing diesel engines that did not comply with U.S. Clean Air Act regulations,” added EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance assistant administrator Susan Bodine.
“This case shows that EPA and our law enforcement partners will not allow importers to gain a competitive advantage or risk the health and safety of our communities by evading U.S. environmental laws."