Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Settlement

Background

In 2016, the United States, on behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), filed a complaint against Volkswagen (VW) entities alleging violations of the Clean Air Act regarding approximately 590,000 diesel vehicles sold in the United States. The In In 2016, the United States, on behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), filed a complaint against Volkswagen (VW) entities alleging violations of the Clean Air Act regarding approximately 590,000 diesel vehicles sold in the United States. The Subject Vehicles included specific models equipped with 2.0 and 3.0-liter diesel engines. Specifically, the complaint alleged that each of these vehicles contains certain computer algorithms and calibrations that cause the emissions control system of those vehicles to perform differently during normal vehicle operation and use than during emissions testing. the complaint alleged that these computer algorithms and calibrations are prohibited defeat devices under the Clean Air Act, and that during normal vehicle operation and use, the cars emit levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) significantly in excess of the USEPA compliant levels. NOx is a pollutant of serious public health concern.

The Beneficiary Mitigation Plan

This Beneficiary Mitigation Plan generally lays out the proposed use of West Virginia’s Mitigation Trust allocation and targets certain mitigation goals related to NOx emissions. This Plan is intended to provide the public with insight into West Virginia’s high-level vision for use of the mitigation funds. It also includes principles to maximize public health and environmental benefits, and to focus air quality improvement towards communities that have historically borne a disproportionate share of air pollution and to substantially reduce harmful air pollutants beyond nitrogen oxides. Plan priorities guide selection of projects that emphasize meeting these goals.

The Final Beneficiary Mitigation Plan Is Available Below For Review.

• Final State of West Virginia Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (PDF) – 3.25 MB

Program Transparency: Semi-Annual Reports

Comments

The comment period for this program ended on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

The comment summary for this program is available for review.

For More Information

USEPA Information Regarding the Environmental Mitigation/Mitigation Trust Portion of the Settlement

• USEPA Resources:Civil Settlement Mitigation Information

Volkswagen’s own public information regarding the action.

• VW Public Information:Volkswagen’s Official Diesel Action Site

Contact Information

For more information regarding West Virginia's participation in the VW Settlement, please contact:

Perry J. McCutcheon:Perry.J.McCutcheon@wv.gov