Washington state aims to turn an environmental scandal into an opportunity to transform the transportation system and improve air quality under a new proposal released Thursday. The plan would use $112.7 million the state is eligible to receive from a federal settlement with Volkswagen to reduce air pollution from diesel vehicles and increase access to electric vehicle infrastructure.
Approximately 24,000 of the affected vehicles were registered in Washington, making the state eligible for $112.7 million from the settlement. Gov. Inslee designated the Washington Department of Ecology as the agency to lead efforts to develop the state’s plan, ensure the plan meets the settlement requirements, and manage the funds.
Under the plan, the settlement funds could pay for projects that install electric vehicle charging stations, replace diesel engines in buses, public vehicles, and vessels with electric engines or cleaner diesel engines, or make other investments in reducing diesel emissions in Washington.
The public is invited to upcoming meetings to learn more about the settlement, how Washington can invest the money, and the proposed plan.
- Webinar: 10 a.m. on Nov, 28. Register online.
- Facebook streaming town hall: 6 p.m. on Nov. 29.
(hat tip to Alex Walker)
