Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced a new investment of $15 million towards clean air projects aimed at reducing pollution across the state. This funding is part of a larger settlement with Volkswagen Corporation, stemming from a 2016 national agreement that addressed the company’s violation of the Clean Air Act. Volkswagen was found to have installed “defeat devices” in thousands of vehicles between 2009 and 2016, allowing them to cheat emissions tests and emit excess nitrogen oxides.
The state of Connecticut has received approximately $55.7 million from the Volkswagen mitigation fund, which has been distributed over a ten-year period. Additionally, the state was awarded around $16 million in separate civil penalties related to the case. Previous allocations from this fund have supported efforts such as expanding Connecticut’s electric school bus fleet and upgrading port machinery to cleaner alternatives.
Governor Lamont emphasized that the transportation sector is responsible for about 70% of smog-forming air pollution and 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut. The new $15 million will be granted to projects that specifically reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to unhealthy ozone levels especially during warmer months. The grants will be administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and will focus on reducing emissions from mobile sources statewide.
Health officials in Connecticut highlight that older diesel engines emit harmful pollutants linked to asthma, lung damage, and other respiratory illnesses. Children in the region are particularly vulnerable, with some of the highest asthma rates in the United States reported among local public school students. The state aims to improve air quality standards and meet long-term emission reduction targets through these initiatives.
DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes noted that federal efforts have recently aimed to weaken emission standards for vehicles, making state-level programs like this settlement fund critical for protecting public health. She stated that investments made possible by the Volkswagen settlement have already contributed significantly to reducing diesel pollution and encouraging cleaner transportation options.
Governor Lamont also underscored the urgency of addressing climate change and air pollution, pointing out that these issues disrupt daily life for many residents and workers in Connecticut. By directing funds towards cleaner air projects, the state hopes not only to improve health outcomes but also to stimulate economic development tied to environmental improvements.
This latest allocation marks a continued commitment by Connecticut to leverage legal settlements from automotive emissions fraud cases as opportunities to advance environmental goals. Interested parties can apply for grants through the program managed by DEEP, which prioritizes projects that demonstrate measurable reductions in harmful nitrogen oxide emissions throughout the state.
