[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 33394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16214]


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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]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-M