Publication of Federal Register notice: The Commission has authorized the publication of a Federal Register notice regarding a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the alternative fueled vehicle (AFV) label specified in the FTC's rule concerning Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles. As detailed in the Federal Register notice, which will be published shortly and is available on the Commission's Web site as a link to this press release, the FTC proposes revising the Rule's AFV label for new vehicles by either updating or deleting the disclosure of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission certification standards and by adding a reference on the label to EPA's green vehicle guide. This guide, which is available on the EPA's Web site, provides detailed information regarding vehicle emissions generally and by vehicle model.

The FTC is commencing this rulemaking proceeding because the emissions standards on the current AFV label will be obsolete starting in the 2004 vehicle model year, and the Ford Motor Company has petitioned the Commission to revise the label in light of this. Ford Motor Company also has requested that the Rule be amended to permit inclusion in the label of emission standards adopted by California and other states. As part of the proceeding, the FTC also is conducting a review of the Rule as part of the Commission's regulatory review program. The Federal Register notice includes a description of the procedures to be followed, an invitation to submit written comments, and questions and issues upon which the FTC desires comments as part of this process. The Commission vote approving publication of the Federal Register notice was 5-0. (FTC File No. R311002; staff contact is Neil J. Blickman, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3038.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.