Engine Decrees Draw Comments

Related Stories Timeline: The EPA announced it had fined diesel engine makers a record $185 million. (Oct. 19) Volvo Truck Corp. said the settlement is cheaper than fighting the EPA in court. (Oct. 27) Engine tests in the U.S. may grow similar to those performed in Europe. (Oct. 30) Public comment is sought on the decree. (Nov. 5) Volvo says the EPA knew about the flaws in engine designs and test. (Nov. 23) The federal judge reviewing the pact allowed it to go into effect while his review continues. (Nov. 25) Evidence begins to mount against the EPA. (Dec. 18) The EPA refutes engine makers' claims. (Dec. 23) Read the EPA's letter to Transport Topics (Dec. 23) A House panel probes the EPA's actions in diesel engine dispute. (Jan. 8) Both trucking and environmental groups are unhappy with the EPA decree. (Jan. 19) EPA allegedly approved 'defeat devices'. (Feb. 8) California law firms will file suit against engine makers . (Feb. 8) Editorials: More Smoke, Fire Over EPA and Engines (Feb. 8) Good News, Not So Good News (Jan. 11) The EPA and Accountability (Dec. 18) From ATA: ATA President Walter B. McCormick, Jr. sounds off on the settlement. (Note: To return to this story, click the "Back" button on your browser.)

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice heard an earful about the consent decrees U.S. diesel engine makers were forced to agree to in order to settle alleged Clean Air Act violations.

U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. in Washington, D.C., must approve the deals. He is reviewing the public comments collected in the matter. The court order that put the agreements into effect while Kennedy conducts his review expires Feb. 18.

Twenty-five groups gave EPA their two-cents worth in filing comments. Transport Topics reported two weeks ago on three of the parties, including American Trucking Associations (1-18, p. 1).

Here is what some others had to say:

• The New York Attorney General’s Office revealed that it was not backing down from its threat to sue EPA. It asked for a complete recall of all engines involved and harsher fines for the engine makers.

  LI>The attorney general also called for the Department of Justice to renegotiate the deals to offset more of the estimated 15.6 million tons of material being emitted by the engines.

  LI> The California Trucking Association contends diesel engine owners, not the manufacturers, will feel the brunt of the penalties. It calls the settlements “unfair, unreasonable and not in the interest of the consumer who purchased the engines certified by the EPA.”

  “The purchaser did nothing wrong, and we ask that the owners of the engines in question be held harmless,” the group wrote.

  LI> The Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association wants clarifications on the low nitrogen oxide kits that the settlement requires for rebuilt engines. It wants to know how rebuilders are to obtain the kits, how they would be reimbursed for installing them, what penalties would apply if an engine was not rebuilt using a kit, and who would be responsible for any problems resulting from the kits.