RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is taking the first step toward spending the millions of dollars it got in a settlement with Volkswagen after the German automaker's massive emissions scandal.
The state received $93 million from the Volkswagen settlement and it plans to dole out the money in phases, so it can make changes along the way.
The money will go to programs designed to cut down diesel emissions with the aim of making up for environmental damage.
The plan for phase one is to have $24.5 million go to the “Diesel and Bus Program,” with 40 percent to school bus replacements, 20 percent to transit bus replacements, 20 percent to cleaner heavy-duty equipment, and $3.4 million to go to the “DC Fast Charge Program,” which will let the state install more electric car charging stations.
Volkswagen’s emission scandal happened in 2015 and involved 600,000 cars.
The company installed software on the cars that cheated emissions rules, which meant they caused more pollution than advertised.
The scandal led to the company losing tens of billions of dollars and a criminal indictment for the CEO.
People can submit an application for phase one through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Click here for more information.
The state will start planning for phase two in the fall.
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