Manitowoc Crane Manufacturer Settles for $42.6 Million with DOJ & EPA Over Clean Air Act Violations

The Manitowoc Company Inc., a leading crane manufacturer, has found itself in hot water—and it’s not the kind you’d use to make steel. In a settlement announced today, Manitowoc and two of its subsidiaries, Grove U.S. L.L.C. and Manitowoc Crane Group Germany GMBH, agreed to pay $42.6 million to resolve accusations of flouting the Clean Air Act.

At the heart of the matter? The company allegedly imported and sold cranes equipped with diesel engines that didn’t meet federal emissions standards, unleashing pollutants that harm public health and air quality.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Manitowoc brought over 1,000 cranes into the U.S. between 2014 and 2018 with engines that didn’t play by the rules. These engines lacked EPA-required certifications and, in some cases, missed the mark on exemptions too.

For Manitowoc, it wasn’t just a paperwork issue. Diesel engines that fail to meet emissions standards pump out nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, pollutants tied to asthma, respiratory problems, and even cancer. The DOJ painted a stark picture of negligence, pointing to non-compliance on labeling, bonding, and reporting requirements.

“Manitowoc’s sale and importation of cranes with uncertified engines violated Clean Air Act requirements designed to protect public health from harmful diesel emissions,” said Todd Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Fixing the Fallout

But this settlement isn’t just about writing a big check—though $42.6 million is no small sum. Manitowoc has also agreed to fund a project with real-world benefits: retrofitting a short-line locomotive engine that operates near Sparrows Point, Maryland.

Why Sparrows Point? It’s close to the Port of Baltimore, where many of the illegal cranes were brought into the country. The project will replace an old locomotive engine, built before emissions standards were a thing, with a modern version outfitted with advanced pollution controls. The upgrade is expected to slash harmful emissions along a 70-mile stretch of rail, improving air quality for nearby communities—many of which are underserved and overburdened by pollution.

“This settlement highlights our commitment to holding violators of the Clean Air Act accountable and will result in a tangible reduction in emissions in the Sparrows Point and Port of Baltimore area,” Kim added.

Diesel exhaust isn’t just dirty—it’s dangerous. It’s been linked to chronic health issues, particularly in communities already struggling with air quality.

“Diesel exhaust is one of the dirtiest forms of air pollution and is linked to serious health conditions, including asthma and respiratory illness,” said David M. Uhlmann, Assistant Administrator of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This settlement... makes clear that EPA will hold companies accountable when they sell illegal diesel engines.”

Beyond the Dollars

For Manitowoc, this isn’t just a financial penalty—it’s a public reckoning. The $42.6 million settlement sends a message to companies across the board: cutting corners on emissions compliance isn’t just risky—it’s costly.

But for the communities around Sparrows Point, this case brings something more tangible than accountability - cleaner air. The retrofitted locomotive, once a relic of outdated standards, is set to become a symbol of change.

As the retrofit rolls out, the hope is that fewer pollutants will mean fewer respiratory issues and a little more room to breathe in communities long overlooked. While Manitowoc’s mistakes can’t be undone, the settlement offers a chance for some good to come out of a bad situation.

And maybe, just maybe, that 70-mile stretch of rail will become a testament to how environmental enforcement can make a difference—not just on paper but in the air we all share.

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