[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 NO<INF>X</INF> emitted as a result of these 
violations by purchasing and retiring 2,500 tons of NO<INF>X</INF> 
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