Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, it was reported that federal prosecutors have charged former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn for conspiring to mislead regulators over its emissions cheating scandal. It is estimated that the 11 million cars worldwide that were equipped with so-called “defeat devices” could be causing as much air pollution as 20 coal plants every year.
Volkswagen is also one of the automakers that has worked behind the scenes with companies such as Ford to roll back the clean car standards.
According to reports, Winterkorn is charged with violating the Clean Air Act, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and wire fraud.
In response, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Gina Coplon-Newfield released the following statement:
“Volkswagen’s cheating scandal endangered the health of people and our planet with its lies and toxic pollution, and the company and those who engineered this plan must be held accountable.There can be no cheating on tailpipe emissions if there are no tailpipes, so we’ll look forward to continued and increased investments by Volkswagen and the rest of the auto industry in cleaner vehicles that do not rely on oil or diesel.”
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.