On May 14, the California Air Resources Board announced  that Doosan Infracore Company Ltd. has agreed to a settlement totaling $647,500 to resolve violations of the California Health and Safety Code related to the modification of pollution controlled engines in California. This settlement is the result of a voluntary self-disclosure of field modifications made to emission-controlled 2010-2012 heavy-duty compressed natural gas engines. These modifications  were implemented by Doosan field representatives, in response to customer operational issues on previously certified engines. The disclosure of these actions to the Air Resources Board was made immediately upon discovery by Doosan’s Engine Quality Assurance Group, ensuring emission compliance.

In announcing the settlement, ARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden said, "We appreciate Doosan’s prompt actions to correct this mistake and ensure that steps taken to address customer concerns are not at the expense of the effectiveness of the emissions controls system."

California’s emission control system laws include provisions to allow manufacturers to develop service campaigns to address a wide range of operational and durability issues; however, modifications must first be notified, undergo a comprehensive engineering evaluation, and approval must be given by ARB before modifications can be performed.

Doosan cooperated fully with the ARB during the review and resolution of this issue. $485,625 of the penalty collected under the settlement will be paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which supports efforts to decrease air pollution through education and the adoption of cleaner technologies. The  remaining $161,875 was paid to help fund clean school bus and diesel engine emission-reduction projects.

Modified engines that no longer meet California’s emission control requirements pose a significant health threat to California residents. They create higher amounts of smog-forming pollutants, which can then exacerbate respiratory ailments and negatively affect other health conditions such as shortness of breath, headaches, birth defects, cancer or damage to internal  organs.