[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42131-42132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17604]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Clean Air Act

    Notice is hereby given that on July 14, 2010, a proposed Consent 
Decree in United States v. City of Tacoma, Civ. A. No. 3:10-cv-05497, 
was lodged with the United States Court for the Western District of 
Washington in Tacoma.
    In this action, the United States sought penalties pursuant to 
Section 608(c) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7671g, against the City 
of Tacoma's Public Works Department. The Complaint alleges that 
Defendant failed to comply with regulations issued pursuant to Section 
608(c) of the CAA--40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F--that makes the knowing 
venting or release of Class I or II refrigerants into the environment 
during the disposal of a refrigerant-containing appliance unlawful. The 
Complaint alleges the City of Tacoma, through its Solid Waste 
Management Division that is internal to the Public Works Department, 
illegally released regulated refrigerant into the environment for 
almost three years dating from October 2004 to August 2007 at its 
municipal landfill.
    Pursuant to the proposed Consent Decree, Defendant will pay to the 
United States a civil penalty of $224,684 and perform a Supplemental 
Environmental Project that will cost approximately $269,783. The SEP 
consists of the City purchasing a hydraulic launch assist refuse 
collection vehicle, purchasing a pluggable hybrid electric terminal 
truck to replace one of the City's diesel yard tractors, and 
retrofitting 10 of its municipal diesel vehicles with diesel 
particulate filters. The hydraulic launch assist refuse collection 
vehicle is designed to be more efficient by using energy created during 
braking as well as increase fuel economy and reduce particulate 
emissions typically emitted from traditional refuse collection 
vehicles. The pluggable hybrid electric terminal truck is designed to 
decrease diesel fuel use and reduce emissions as well as increase the 
City's fuel economy. The diesel particulate filters are aimed to reduce 
particulate matter emissions as well as carbon monoxide and 
hydrocarbons emissions. Overall, these projects are intended to help 
improve air quality in and around the City's municipal landfill by 
reducing smog-forming chemicals such as ground level ozone, 
particulates, and nitrous oxides (as well as carbon dioxide).
    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, 
Environment and Natural Resources Division, and either e-mailed to 
[email protected] or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S.

[[Page 42132]]

Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to 
United States v. City of Tacoma, Civ. A. No. 3:10-cv-05497 (Western 
District of Washington), Department of Justice Case Number 90-5-2-1-
09582.
    During the public comment period, the Consent Decree may be 
examined at the Office of the United States Attorney, Western District 
of Washington, 700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220, Seattle, WA 98101-1271. 
The Consent Decree may also be examined on the following Department of 
Justice Web site, http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html . A 
copy of the Consent Decree may also be obtained by mail from the 
Consent Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, 
Washington, DC 20044-7611 or by faxing or e-mailing a request to Tonia 
Fleetwood ([email protected]), fax no. (202) 514-0097, phone 
confirmation number (202) 514-1547. In requesting a copy from the 
Consent Decree Library, please enclose a check in the amount of $11.00 
(25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury.

Maureen Katz,
Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and 
Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2010-17604 Filed 7-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-15-P