Texas Is Figuring Out How to Spend $209 Million From Volkswagen Settlement

Texas is owed $209 million as its share of the multibillion-dollar settlement with carmaker Volkswagen, which harmed public health by lying about how much their cars pollute. Now, state environmental officials must decide how to spend that windfall.The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said Monday that officials would come up with a plan and let the public weigh in. Gov. Greg Abbott previously designated the TCEQ as the state agency managing Texas' portion of the settlement.The money must be used to reduce smog-creating nitrogen oxide emissions. That pollutant was released in higher-than-reported levels by Volkswagen vehicles that were programmed to trick emissions testing equipment."Governor Greg Abbott has a chance for a trifecta here: create jobs, reduce pollution, and lower operating costs for local governments," said Adrian Shelley, director of Public Citizen's Texas office, in a written statement. "Because Volkswagen polluted Texas with illegal emissions from diesel vehicles, the top priority for using settlement funds is to remove old, dirty diesel vehicles from the road."  Continue reading...