The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) recently awarded its first grants from the state’s $28.4 million Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement. The department awarded $9.4 million to purchase 19 electric transit buses in seven counties, as well as $12 million to help 83 school districts buy 336 low-emission buses. Together, these grants will help the state cut its emissions of nitrogen oxides by 125 tons and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 2,900 tons.
In 2019, Ecology will begin awarding grants from the state’s $112.7 million share of the federal Volkswagen settlement to help expand electric vehicle charging stations, buy zero-emission vehicles for public fleets, and invest in electrifying Washington’s ferry system.
