EPA: Texas importers must settle Clean Air violations

   According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a group of companies and its owner must either stop importing vehicles or follow a plan to settle Clean Air Act violations arising from the alleged illegal import of more than 24,167 motorcycles and recreational vehicles into the U.S. without proper documentation.
   “Importers of foreign-made vehicles and engines must comply with the same Clean Air Act requirements that apply to those selling domestic products,” stated Robert Dreher, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We will continue to vigorously enforce the law to ensure that imported vehicles and engines comply with U.S. laws so that American consumers get environmentally sound products and violators do not gain an unfair economic advantage.”
   The EPA stated Monday that Savoia, BMX Imports, BMX Trading and their owner, Terry Zimmer, allegedly imported the vehicles from foreign manufacturers into the United States through the Port of Long Beach, Calif. The vehicles were reportedly sold through the Internet and from a retail location in Dallas. 
   A settlement on Monday called for the companies to either certify that they are no longer involved in the alleged activities or follow a five-year plan of regular vehicle inspections, emissions testing, and other measures. The companies are also required to export or destroy 115 of their vehicles.