Connecticut Invests $15M from Volkswagen Settlement in Clean Air Projects

The funds will support grants to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and improve air quality across the state.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:27am

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An extreme close-up of the pebbled, layered surface of an electric vehicle battery pack, lit dramatically to reveal the complex engineering behind modern automotive technology.Connecticut's investment in clean air projects using Volkswagen settlement funds aims to reduce harmful emissions and promote sustainable transportation.Hartford Today

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that the state is investing $15 million in clean air projects, using funds from a national settlement with Volkswagen over its emissions cheating scandal. The money will be distributed through grants administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to support initiatives that reduce nitrogen oxide pollution, especially from the transportation sector which is a major source of smog-forming emissions in the state.

Why it matters

Connecticut is using the Volkswagen settlement funds to tackle air pollution and climate change, which are major public health and environmental concerns in the state. The projects supported by this investment aim to improve air quality and meet long-term emissions reduction targets, especially as the federal government has moved to weaken vehicle emissions standards.

The details

The $15 million in funding stems from Connecticut's share of a national $2.9 billion settlement with Volkswagen in 2016 over the company's use of 'defeat devices' to cheat emissions tests. Connecticut received a total of $55.7 million from the Volkswagen mitigation fund, which has previously been used to expand the state's electric school bus fleet and enhance port machinery. The latest $15 million allocation will support grant programs administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from mobile sources across the state and bring Connecticut closer to meeting air quality standards.

  • In 2016, Volkswagen reached a national settlement over its emissions cheating scandal.
  • Connecticut received around $55.7 million from the Volkswagen mitigation fund over a 10-year period ending in 2017.
  • Earlier this year, Connecticut officials announced more than $30 million remained in the Volkswagen settlement fund.
  • On April 8, 2026, Governor Ned Lamont announced that $15 million from the remaining funds will be allocated to various clean air projects.

The players

Ned Lamont

The Governor of Connecticut who announced the $15 million investment in clean air projects using funds from the Volkswagen emissions settlement.

Volkswagen Corp.

The automaker that reached a national settlement in 2016 over allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act by installing 'defeat devices' in thousands of its vehicles to cheat emissions tests.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

The state agency that will administer the grant programs funded by the $15 million investment to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and improve air quality across Connecticut.

Katie Dykes

The Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection who reaffirmed the importance of using the Volkswagen settlement funds to reduce diesel pollution and encourage cleaner transportation options.

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What they’re saying

“With the federal government determined to weaken emission standards for cars and trucks, grant programs such as the Volkswagen settlement program are playing an increasingly important role in our ability to reduce diesel pollution that's harming our health, and encourage companies to choose cleaner options.”

— Katie Dykes, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

“Our efforts to fight this pollution are all the more important as long as government leaders in Washington seem intent to give polluters a free pass.”

— Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut

What’s next

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will administer the grant program funded by the $15 million investment, with details on how to apply for the grants available on their website.

The takeaway

This investment of Volkswagen settlement funds in clean air projects highlights Connecticut's commitment to addressing air pollution and climate change, even as the federal government has moved to weaken emissions standards. The grants will support initiatives to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions, especially from the transportation sector, and help the state meet its long-term environmental goals.