Cummins Inc., a renowned engine manufacturer, has reached a settlement with the Department of Justice following an emissions cheating scandal. The agreement mandates the recall of 600,000 Ram trucks equipped with illegal emissions control software. This marks the largest penalty ever secured under the Clean Air Act, as Cummins will pay a staggering $1.675 billion civil penalty. They will also devote $325 million to remedies.
Cummins has faced accusations of bypassing emissions testing through devices that can circumvent or disable emissions controls. The settlement, declared as a “landmark” case, was announced jointly by officials from the U.S. Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, and California Attorney General.
Over the course of a decade, hundreds of thousands of Ram trucks were manufactured with Cummins diesel engines incorporating the illicit software. However, it is currently unknown how many of these vehicles are still in use on the roads. Despite maintaining their innocence, Cummins is audacious in their claims, stating that the engines not being recalled did not exceed emissions limits.
Dedicated to rectifying the excess emissions caused by their actions, Cummins will allocate substantial resources to support remedial projects. The Clean Air Act, which emphasizes the importance of adhering to emission limits to protect the environment and human health, requires both car and engine manufacturers to comply with these regulations.
This resolution illustrates the gravity of the situation and the commitment of authorities to hold accountable those who flout emission standards. With this settlement, Cummins is now confronting the consequences of their alleged emissions cheating and taking notable steps towards rectification.
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