How to turn VW Settlement into multi-billion dollar victory for green transportation

For nearly 500,000 so-called "clean diesel" cars, Volkswagen knowingly incorporated cheating emissions control devices. The emissions from VW cars were 15 – 40 times above the U.S. EPA compliance level. This is egregious and through the resulting lawsuit, VW agreed to settle by spending up to $14.7 billion to remediate the excess NOx emissions, of which a majority of this money is going to vehicle buyback and modification programs for affected consumers. But billions will be put toward clean transportation programs. Environmental and public health advocates have a great opportunity to influence these programs to 1) make sure their states apply for the funds; and 2) ensure that the funds are spent wisely. Find resources to help with those efforts here.