LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris released a statement Oct. 25 commenting on a U.S. District Court’s approval of the $14.7 billion settlement with Volkswagen.
The settlement stemmed from allegations the company’s “defeat device” software allowed it to bypass emissions controls in its 2.0 liter diesel vehicles.
“Curbing emissions is vital to protecting our planet for future generations and the deceit Volkswagen practiced in pursuit of profit is unconscionable,” Harris said. “This agreement holds the company accountable for violating California and federal environmental protection laws and requires major investments in our environment and zero emission technology, including over a billion dollars for California alone.”
Harris worked on negotiating the settlement with the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. government on behalf of the state of California. The state is a party to the settlement agreement along with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
As part of the settlement, Volkswagen will spend roughly $10 billion to buy back or modify vehicles on which “defeat devices” were installed. Additionally, the company will commit $2.7 billion to environmental programs and $2 billion to invest in zero emissions vehicles.