Lauren Lantry (202) 548-6599 or lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Volkswagen (VW) Settlement Agreement Environmental Mitigation Trust has been approved, starting the process whereby billions of dollars of trust money can be allocated to states for clean transportation efforts. States must identify a lead agency (“Beneficiary”) to supervise the distribution of settlement money no later than Friday, December 1, 2017, which is 60 days after the Environmental Mitigation Trust Effective Date.
In September 2015, Volkswagen admitted to installing software in certain diesel vehicles designed to bypass pollution control systems, resulting in dangerous emissions up to 40 times than allowed by law. In October of 2016, Volkswagen agreed to settle for their deceit by spending up to $14.7 billion to remediate the excess NOx or smog emissions. A majority of this money is going to vehicle buyback and modification programs for affected consumers, but $2.7 billion of this settlement money is going towards NOx reduction programs via the Environmental Mitigation Trust, meaning each U.S. state can receive tens of millions of dollars towards clean transportation programs.
The Environmental Mitigation Trust funds provide states with the opportunity to decrease the impact that transportation has on our climate. In total, the U.S. transportation sector—which includes cars, buses, trucks, planes, trains, ships, and freight—produces nearly thirty percent of all U.S. climate emissions, more than any other single sector. It is estimated that the worldwide impact of 11 million affected vehicles with installed cheat devices could be causing as much air pollution as 20 coal plants every year. The funding from this settlement can be used to help electrify the transportation sector in every U.S. state and eliminate one of our biggest sources of pollution in the country. The funding can be used to increase electric vehicle infrastructure through the building of charging stations and for states to invest in zero emission transit buses, school buses, and port vehicles. The Sierra Club is urging for the funding to be used on clean, electric transportation options rather than compressed natural gas, diesel, or propane vehicles.
In response, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Gina Coplon-Newfield released the following statement:
"Volkswagen’s actions were as dangerous as the sickening smog their vehicles left behind. But with funding from the settlement’s Environmental Mitigation Trust, states now have the opportunity to implement clean electric transportation initiatives to drive away dirty pollution.
“This Environmental Mitigation Trust is a move in the right direction toward cleaning up Volkswagen’s dirty deceit, but we need to make sure the money is spent wisely. Investing in efforts to expedite the switch to clean electric vehicles, including charging infrastructure and zero emission buses, will truly provide relief to those communities most adversely affected by the high levels of air pollution that VW’s vehicles--and conventional vehicles generally--have caused.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.