Green Talks

Harley-Davidson violated the Clean Air Act by selling devices that allowed motorcycles to emit higher levels of air pollutants. The EPA and Department of Justice announced this in 2016. The company agreed to stop selling the devices, pay a $12 million civil penalty, and spend $3 million on environmental projects. Critics say the penalty wasn't enough. Vanessa Ramirez, an environmental advocate, believes stricter enforcement and harsher penalties are needed. The incident highlights the importance of regulatory bodies like the EPA and the role of consumers in demanding transparency and accountability from companies. Welcome back listeners to another episode of Green Talks, the podcast where we dive deep into the issues impacting our planet and explore the actions we can take to protect our environment. I'm your host, Ava Domogoski, and today we're uncovering a story that revs up our environmental consciousness. A story about Harley-Davidson and its violation of the Clean Air Act, but first, a word from our sponsor. It's O'Rewards Member Appreciation Month at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Stop in today and check out store-wide savings plus earn double points on over 225 items. It's our way of saying thank you. If you're not already a member, sign up today during O'Rewards Member Appreciation Month. It's fast, easy, and free. O'Reilly Auto Parts. Better parts, better prices, every day. O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L- O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y, O-R-E-I-L-L-Y. In the summer of 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced that Harley-Davidson had sold around 340,000 devices known as supertuners. These supertuners enabled motorcycles to emit higher levels of air pollutants than what the company had certified to the EPA. Essentially, these devices allowed the bikes to cheat emissions standards similar to the infamous Volkswagen emissions scandal. The crux of this issue lies in the increased emissions of hydrocarbons and nitric oxides, pollutants that contribute to smog and can cause serious health issues such as respiratory problems and heart disease. The EPA's regulations are designed to limit these emissions, ensuring cleaner air for everyone. As a part of the settlement, Harley-Davidson agreed to stop selling the supertuners and to buy back and destroy the devices that were still in dealerships, along to pay a $12 million civil penalty. Additionally, the company committed to spend $3 million on environmental beneficial projects to mitigate air pollution. While the penalty might seem hefty, it is important to put this in perspective. For a multi-billion dollar company like Harley-Davidson, this was just a slap on the wrist. The real cost was the environmental impact and the breach of public trust. Critics argue that such penalties are not enough to deter large corporations from engaging in similar practices. Today, I have an environmental advocate to tune in and share her thoughts on the violation. Here we have Vanessa Ramirez. Now, how do you feel about this situation? This news was very disappointing to me. I personally live in the Milwaukee area, so the air quality is already poor in these urban areas. I see many affected by this resulting in chest pain or shortness of breath. It's upsetting that a homegrown brand like Harley-Davidson committed an act like this. Now, what change would you like to see following this offense? We need stricter enforcement and harsher penalties to ensure corporations comply with environmental laws. The health of our planet and our communities is at stake. Thank you for your time, Vanessa. This incident also brings to light the broader issue of corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship. As consumers and advocates, we have the power to demand more transparency and accountability from companies. Supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability and adhere to environmental regulations is one way we can contribute to a cleaner, healthier world. So, what can we learn from the Harley-Davidson case? First, it underscores the importance of regulatory bodies like the EPA in enforcing environmental laws. Second, it highlights the need for continuous vigilance and advocacy to ensure these laws are followed. And finally, it reminds us of our role as informed consumers in shaping a sustainable future. That's all for today's episode of Green Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends. Together, we can hold corporations accountable and make a difference for our planet. Until next time, keep fighting the good fight and stay green! This is Ava Domogarski, signing off.