EPA v. Motors Liquidation Company Bankruptcy (f/k/a General Motors) (National Case)

Case summary

This case addresses violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by Motors Liquidation Company ( Old GM ), formerly known as General Motors Company. The case involves the manufacture of 95,000 non-compliant engines and is part of a series of larger nation-wide bankruptcy settlements with Old GM for environmental violations. In June 2009, Old GM--then the second-largest automotive manufacturer in the world--filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions. The same day it filed for bankruptcy, Old GM also filed a motion to sell substantially all of its assets to a newly formed corporation, now known as General Motors Company ( New GM ), which was approved by the Bankruptcy Court in July 2009. Old GM thereafter filed a plan of liquidation. Today’s settlement is the eighth in a series of settlements of Old GM’s environmental liabilities that have recovered more than $800 million for cleanup of contaminated sites across the nation. In October 2010, the United States, certain States, and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe entered into a $773 million settlement agreement with Old GM to resolve its liabilities at 89 sites owned or operated by the debtors. In December 2010, the United States and certain States entered into six settlements totaling $25 million with Old GM to resolve its environmental liabilities at six sites.

Defendants (1)

• General Motors CorporationNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

  300 RENAISSANCE CTR, DETROIT, MI, 48243

  Registry ID: 110038156811

Statutes cited

• CAA 208 — Information Collection from Motor Vehicle Mfg.
• CAA 203 — Prohibited Acts - Motor Vehicle & Motor Vehicle Engines

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• General Motors (NC)entered 2011-03-29

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $875,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2008-09-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2008-10-08Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2009-11-29Complaint Filed With Court
• 2011-03-04Final Order Lodged
• 2011-03-29Final Order Entered