U.S. levels $10m fine against Michigan companies for devices designed to conceal Co2 emissions

The U.S. Department of Justice this week announced a $10 million judgment against two Michigan-based companies for the manufacture of devices designed to skirt around federal greenhouse gas emissions standards. 

The DOJ said in a press release that the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan "awarded a default judgment, granting the proposed $10 million civil penalty against Diesel Ops LLC and Orion Diesel LLC of Waterford, Michigan." for the creation and sale of "defeat devices."

A "defeat device" is a machine "designed to disable or bypass required vehicle emissions controls," in the DOJ's language; most defeat devices work by causing the car to function differently during an emissions test than it does on the road, thereby concealing its true emissions rate. 

The decision by the district court "sends a strong message that selling and installing defeat devices on vehicles and engines will not be tolerated,” EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore said in the release

“Emission control systems on vehicles are designed to protect public health by reducing pollution, which is why EPA is committed to ensuring that companies comply with the Clean Air Act," she added.