Tractor Supply Hit with $775,000 Penalty

The EPA and Justice Department have announced a settlement with Tractor Supply that resolves allegations that the company imported and sold more than 28,000 all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and engines that did not comply with federal Clean Air Act certification and emission information labeling requirements. The vehicles were imported from China.

The settlement requires Tractor Supply Company to pay a $775,000 civil penalty, most of which the retailer says is being reimbursed by a vendor.

The company also agreed to implement a rigorous corporate compliance plan that requires regular vehicle and engine inspections, emissions and catalyst testing, staff training and reporting for five years.

Tractor Supply Company will also mitigate potential adverse environmental effects of equipment already sold to consumers, which is estimated by EPA to be up to 23.5 tons of excess hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions and 12.2 tons of excess carbon monoxide emissions.

Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said this resolution with Tractor Supply assures companies that abide by the Clean Air Act they are competing on a level playing field.

“That is the cornerstone of our environmental enforcement programs,” Giles said. S