New Jersey will be qualified for approximately $65 million from Volkswagen to lower a key air pollutant that sets off asthma attacks as part of the automobile company’s settlement with federal authorities over cheating on emissions tests.
While the settlement still has to get last approval from a judge, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has presently informed states that they might utilize their share of the $2.7 billion for a variety of measures consisting of buying zero-emission government automobiles and constructing charging stations for electrical automobiles.
The Christie administration, that has its own claim pending against Volkswagen, would not talk about the funds. “Upon final approval of the settlement by the federal court, it is premature for New Jersey to identify if it will participate in the program,” stated Lee Moore, a spokesperson for Attorney General’s Office.
The money comes from a $14.7 billion settlement reached in June.
Asthma rates are greater in New Jersey than the rest of the U.S. in part due to the many diesel trucks that carry goods through the state. About 9 percent of New Jersey children and grownups struggle with the illness compared to 8.6 percent of children and 7.4 percent of adults nationally.
The EPA put strict restrictions on how the cash can be utilized. New Jersey, like all states, would have to produce a mitigation plan summing up how it means to use the $65 million prior to receiving the funds.
