Indianapolis: Minorities, Low-Income Families Should Get Priority In Volkswagen Settlement

Hoosiers have weighed in on what they think should be done with money from a settlement with Volkswagen. Indiana got $40.9 million after the company violated the Clean Air Act. Some of the suggestions include the state installing charging stations for electric cars and investing in greener school buses. 

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management hasn’t decided where that money will go, but that areas with the poorer air quality will be prioritized.

But the city of Indianapolis says that the people most affected by air pollution might not live in counties with the worst air. Matt Mosher is with the city’s Office of Sustainability. He says minorities and low-income populations are more vulnerable to air pollution.

“You may not have things like air conditioning. You may have to keep your windows open. So those folks have a harder time,” he says.

Mosher says counties like Marion may have better air, but they also might have more vulnerable populations. IDEM could not be reached for comment.