The Sacramento based strike team is looking for several clean air related violations including big rigs and other vehicles that may be illegally using tax free dyed diesel. Dyed diesel, or red diesel, is a type of fuel reserved for agricultural usage in the state, however many trucks use the fuel to avoid high gas taxes on regular diesel fuels. Also being checked is the emission systems on the trucks and vehicles. The If cited for an emission violation the operator will have 45 days to rectify the issue and have it signed off by law enforcement. The fine is initially 8-hundred dollars, but is decreased to 3-hundred once the problem is fixed.

The fine for using the illegal fuel is more severe and is managed by the State Board of Equalization. The fine includes a 10-dollar per gallon or 1-thousand dollar fine, whichever is greater. One of the vehicles cited today for driving with the red diesel fuel was an East Bay Municipal Utility District vehicle. The agents on scene say that it is possible that a utility, such as East Bay MUD (mud), may have an arrangement with THE State Board of Equalization to pay tax through a contract basis. East Bay MUD spokesman Charles Hardy says this is true. Hardy says all East Bay MUD vehicles that run both on public roads and the utility’s parks and premises are equipped with mileage monitors Hardy also says the policy has recently changed, and East Bay MUD is moving away from all usage of red diesel toward all clear diesel for environmental concern reasons.