United States Files Lawsuit Against MotorScience, Inc. for Alleged Violations of the Clean Air Act

WASHINGTON – The United States, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint against MotorScience, Inc. and the owner of the company, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, for allegedly causing the importation of more than 24,000 uncertified vehicles that do not comply with the Clean Air Act’s requirements, the EPA announced. Engines operating without proper emissions controls can emit excess carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen which can cause respiratory illnesses, aggravate asthma and contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, or smog.

The complaint alleges that MotorScience, an engine certification services consulting firm located in California, used false or incomplete information to obtain Clean Air Act certificates of conformity for four of its clients. The certificates allowed the importation and sale of more than 24,000 recreational vehicles in the United States. EPA previously voided 12 certificates submitted by MotorScience on behalf of the four clients. The complaint alleges that vehicles imported under these voided certificates violate the Clean Air Act. The complaint further alleges that MotorScience caused its clients to fail to create and maintain records, which its clients were required to keep under the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act prohibits any vehicle or engine from being imported and sold in the United States unless it is covered by an EPA-issued certificate of conformity indicating that the vehicle or engine meets applicable emission standards. The certificate of conformity is the primary way EPA ensures that imported vehicles and engines meet emission standards.

The complaint seeks civil penalties and actions by the company to remedy the violations and mitigate any excess pollutant emissions caused by the violations. This enforcement action is part of an ongoing effort by EPA to ensure that all imported vehicles and equipment comply with the Clean Air Act’s requirements.

More information on EPA’s Clean Air Act Mobile Source Enforcement programs: http://epa.gov/enforcement/civil/caa/caaenfprog.html#mobile