Judge, Hill Review EPA Decrees

No decisions are expected anytime soon from a federal judge who is reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency’s settlements with engine manufacturers on emissions testing. While that process is moving forward, a congressional investigation of the settlements is under way.

The House Commerce Committee is looking into how EPA handled the settlement of Clean Air Act violations with the six engine makers. Some of the companies said they told the agency about finding a way to defeat its emissions tests years before they were penalized for violating restrictions on nitrogen oxide emissions (1-11, p. 1).

The committee has sought documents on the matter from the agency but has not decided if hearings are necessary.

The consent decrees signed in October will not be official until approved by U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. in Washington, D.C.

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