Announced Actions for May 2, 2003

Petition for approval of proposed divestiture: The Commission has received a petition for approval of a proposed divestiture from ConocoPhillips, Inc. concerning the recent merger of Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company. Under the terms of the decision and order, ConocoPhillips is required to divest certain assets and enter into certain agreements. Through this application, which will be available shortly on the FTC's Web site as a link to this press release, ConocoPhillips has petitioned the Commission to approve the proposed divestiture of the "Colorado Assets" (as that term is defined in the order) to Suncor Energy, Inc.

The FTC is accepting public comments on the petition until May 31, 2003. Comments should be sent to: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20580. (FTC File No. 021-0040, Docket No. C-4058; staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526; see press releases dated August 30 and September 20 and 24, 2002; and January 14, January 21, and February 21, 2003.)

Commission approval of proposed divestiture: Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a proposed divestiture from ConocoPhillips, Inc. (ConocoPhillips). The company petitioned the Commission for approval of the divestiture pursuant to a final decision and order with the FTC, announced on February 14, 2003, regarding Conoco's merger with Phillips Petroleum Company (Phillips). As detailed in the application, ConocoPhillips requested approval of the proposed divestiture of the New Mexico Assets (as that term is defined in the order) to Frontier Field Services, LLC, a newly formed affiliate of Frontier Energy Services, LLC.

The Commission vote to approve the proposed divestiture was 5-0. (FTC File No. 021-0040, Docket No. C-4058; staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526; see press releases dated August 30, September 20, and September 24, 2002; and January 14, January 21, and February 21, 2003.)

Commission authorization to file amended complaint: The Commission has authorized the staff to file a second amended complaint related to "Operation License for Trouble." Through this action, the FTC is adding a means and instrumentalities count to address the alleged operation of a diploma mill by defendants Mountain View Systems, Ltd. (Case No. 03-CV-00021-RMC (D.D.C.)). Specifically, the amended complaint alleges that the defendants provided the phony academic degrees, associated verification, and backup materials that recipients used to represent falsely to others that the diplomas constitute academic degrees, that established colleges and universities issued the degrees, and that the recipient had proficiency in a curriculum recognized as necessary to earn the academic degree. The Commission vote to authorize the staff to file the amended complaint was 5-0. (File No. X030018; staff contact is Gregory A. Ashe, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3719; see press release dated January 16, 2003.)

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.)

Commission approval of final consent order: Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter concerning The Ted Warren Corporation; The Ken Roberts Institute, Inc.; The Ken Roberts Company; and Ken Roberts. The Commission vote to approve the final consent order was 5-0. (FTC File No. 992-3298; staff contact is Dan Salsburg, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3402; see press release dated March 24, 2003.)

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.