Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under The Clean Air Act

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under The Clean Air Act

Under 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that on June 8, 1998, a

proposed Consent Decree in United States v. American Honda Motor, Co.,

Inc., Civil Action No. 98-01433, 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.C.S. 7401 et seq., that certain model-year 1995,

1996, and 1997 American Honda vehicles fail to comply with the

emission-control requirements of the Act and the regulations

promulgated thereunder relating to the detection of engine misfire

through the use of computerized on-board diagnostics. Under the

proposed Consent Decree, American Honda has agreed to resolve the

United States' claims by proving each current and all subsequent owners

of Honda vehicles covered by the settlement with a 14 year/150,000 mile

extended emissions warranty, a free engine check at any time between

50,000 an 75,000 miles of use (to identify emission-related defects

covered by the extended emissions warranty), plus a free tune up (to

maintain the engines' emissions performance) at any time between 75,000

and 150,000 miles of use. The Decree requires American Honda to notify

affected owners of the extended emissions warranty and services

available under the Decree (including persons who purchase the vehicles

from current owners) following entry of the Consent Decree by the

Court, again when each vehicle is approximately four years old, and a

final time when the vehicle is approximately 9 years old. Further,

Honda will pay $10.1 in civil penalties and spend $1 million to

implement a supplemental environmental project to enhance the use of

on-board diagnostics by the states in connection with their motor

vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance programs.

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 Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Department of

Justice, Washington, DC 20530, and should refer to United States and

American Honda Motor, Co., Inc., Civil Action No. 98-01433, D.J. Ref.

90-5-2-1-2170.

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. In requesting a copy, please enclose a check in the amount of

$21.50 (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. 98-16214 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]

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