Missouri wants public input about how to spend Volkswagen settlement money

Missouri can use a national $41 million settlement from Volkswagen for equipment that counteracts negative health effects and pollution that could have been caused by carbon emissions. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Volkswagen settled with the Department of Justice last year when it sold nearly 600,000 U.S. diesel vehicles with devices meant to beat emissions tests.

The money could be spent on things like more electric vehicles and corresponding charging stations and additional electric city buses. The state can also use 15-percent of funds for infrastructure.

The Department of Natural Resources will hold hearings to get input about ways Missourians want the money spent. One will be in Springfield on November 30 and in Jefferson City on December 7.