[Federal Register: July 1, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 35945-35946]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy98-108]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Clean Air Act
Pursuant to 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that on June 8,
1998, a proposed Consent Decree in United States v. Ford Motor Company,
Civil Action No. 98-01432(RCL), was lodged with the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia.
The United States has asserted, in a civil complaint under the
Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq., that certain 1997 Econoline
vans had defeat devices or otherwise violated the reporting
requirements of Section 203 of the Clean Air Act. In addition, the
United States asserted that 1.7 million Escorts from model years 1991
through 1995 violated the reporting requirements of Section 203 of the
Clean Air Act.
Under the proposed Consent Decree, Ford has agreed to recall the
1997 Econolines and deactivate the defeat device. Ford also agreed to
offset the excess NOX emitted as a result of these
violations by purchasing and retiring 2,500 tons of NOX
credits. Finally, Ford will pay a civil penalty of $2.5 million
dollars, and will implement Supplemental Environmental Projects valued
at $1.5 million in the form of alternative fuel vehicles and fueling
stations, which Ford will provide to at least two airports, at no cost
to the airport facilities, for use in transporting passengers from off-
site parking lots to the terminals.
The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30)
days from the date of this publication comments relating to the Consent
Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General
of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of
Justice, Washington, DC 20530, and should refer to United States v.
Ford Motor Company, Civil Action No. 98-01432(RCL), D.J. Ref. 90-5-2-1-
2195.
The Consent Decree may be examined at the Office of the United
States Attorney for the District of Columbia, Judiciary Center Bldg.,
555 Fourth St., NW., Washington, DC 20001; at the Environmental
Protection Agency Library, Reference Desk, Room 2904, 401 M Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20460; and at the Consent Decree Library, 1120 G
Street, NW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20005, 202-624-0892. A copy of
the consent Decree may be obtained in person or by mail from the
Consent Decree Library, 1120 G Street, NW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC
20005.
[[Page 35946]]
In requesting a copy, please enclose a check in the amount of $7.00 (25
cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the Consent Decree
Library.
Joel M. Gross,
Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural
Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 98-17499 Filed 6-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M