From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY–The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality invites the public to view how it is spending millions of dollars in settlement money from Volkswagen.
The plan outlines how the state intends to use $21 million to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from the transportation sector.
Volkswagen previously agreed to spend $14.7 billion to settle allegations over cheating emissions tests and deceiving consumers. The company offered a buyback and lease termination for approximately 500,000 vehicles made between 2009 and 2015 with 2.0-liter diesel engines. Volkswagen intends to spend $10.03 billion to compensate consumers under the program. Additionally, the company will spend $4.7 billion to mitigate pollution and invest in green energy technologies.
The state DEQ is updating the beneficiary mitigation plan to prioritize counties based on the recent National Emissions Inventory data, and to reallocate the Reserve Flex Funding to our two best programs: the On-Road program for medium/heavy-duty trucks and shuttle/ transit buses, and the Clean Diesel school bus program.
The updated BMP is open to public review and commentary until June 15, 2024. To review BMP changes visit https://www.deq.ok.gov/air-quality-division/ volkswagen-settlement/. Comments can be submitted to vwsettlement@deq. ok.gov.