AQMD, Lowe’s Reach $2.75 Million Settlement

South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and Lowe’s HIW, Inc. officials today announced that Lowe’s will pay $2.75 million to AQMD in a settlement regarding the agency’s rule limiting smog-forming ingredients in paints and coatings.

Under the terms of the settlement, Lowe’s will pay AQMD $2.45 million in civil penalties and $300,000 to cover the costs of the agency’s investigation.  Lowe’s has not admitted any culpability in the settlement.

“Paints and coatings are one of the most significant sources of air pollution in our region,” said Barry Wallerstein, AQMD’s executive officer.  “Compliance with our paint and coatings regulations is an essential part of our path to clean air.”

“Lowe’s takes environmental matters very seriously. We are pleased to have resolved this dispute without litigation and look forward to continuing a strong relationship with the AQMD,” said Jeff Starnes, Lowe’s regional vice-president. “We will continue to look for opportunities to make our programs even stronger in the future.” 

According to AQMD’s clean air plan, all paints and coatings are responsible for 23 tons per day of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in the Southland, an amount greater than that emitted by all of the power plants and oil refineries in the region. VOCs combine in the atmosphere with nitrogen oxides, a combustion pollutant, to form ozone, a lung-scarring gas.

AQMD’s Rule 1113 prohibits the manufacture, distribution, sale or use of non-compliant coatings in the South Coast Air Basin.  In recent years AQMD has focused inspections on home improvement retail stores to ensure that paints sold to consumers comply with air quality regulations.  Earlier this year AQMD reached a $2 million settlement with Wal-Mart for Rule 1113 violations involving sale of non-compliant paints and coatings.

AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties.

Lowe’s HIW, Inc. operates 45 home improvement stores in AQMD’s jurisdiction.

October 29, 2010

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