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

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]

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