"We will not tolerate unsafe waste trucks traveling on Pennsylvania's highways," Hess said, adding that the fines represent the largest penalty ever assessed against waste haulers and drivers in the Commonwealth, and show the seriousness of the issue. “Pennsylvanians want safe vehicles on their roads, and these companies need to be responsible."
DEP fined 26 haulers a total of $1.8 million. District magistrates levied $395,425 in criminal fines against more than 1,200 drivers.
Houston-based Waste Management Inc. was charged the largest penalty, $815,000, to settle environmental and safety violations. Kephart Trucking of Bigler was levied the second-highest penalty, $182,500; and BFI Inc. of Houston was fined $152,000.
During the sweep, haulers were cited for 11,082 safety and environmental violations. In addition, 12 trucking firms were cited for 2,073 violations, accounting for nearly one-fifth of all the violations issued by DEP, Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania DOT from May 21 to May 29.
