Oregon says it is in line to receive $85 million from Volkswagen as part of the German automaker's emissions fraud settlement. With more than 13,000 affected residents, the state has the highest per capita ownership of the affected VW cars in the nation.
Neighboring Washington state announced it will receive $129 million from VW as part of the car manufacture's settlement over deceptive marketing of its diesel cars. More than 22,000 Washingtonians are affected by the settlement.
VW owners in both states will receive at least $5,100 and can decide whether to buy back the vehicle at pre-emission scandal prices. Or they can decide to have their vehicles fixed.
Oregon and Washington are two of 37 states that settled with Volkswagen for $570 million for violating laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices.
The settlements are part of an overall $15 billion settlement between VW, consumers, states and the federal government.
Oregon has the highest per capita ownership of the affected VW cars in the nation
— Ellen Rosenblum (@ORDOJ) June 28, 2016
The deal affects nearly half a million diesel vehicles. The settlement includes cash payments to Oregon consumers who purchased a diesel vehicle from Volkswagen or one of its subsidiaries from 2009 to 2015 that had "defeat device" software to circumvent emissions standards for certain pollutants.
"It's about time that the people who purchased these vehicles and learned last year that in fact they weren't what they thought are made whole," Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said Tuesday in Portland after announcing the state's cut of the overall settlement.
In Oregon, most of that money — $68 million from the automotive giant's settlement with the U.S. government — will be set aside to pay for state programs aimed at curbing diesel emissions.
"Oregon is also eligible to seek additional funds from a separate fund dedicated to helping Oregonians buy zero emissions cars," said Gov. Kate Brown.
The remaining $17 million is a payment to Oregon, which was among six states to lead the investigation that led to the settlement. A spokeswoman for Rosenblum said that money will go back into the agency's consumer protection fund.
The deal is thought to be the third-largest consumer protection settlement in Washington state.
Under the terms of the agreement, Washington will receive $26 million for violating consumer protection laws. The state is also is eligible to receive $103 million to fund mitigation projects, according to a release.
“Consumers specifically sought these supposedly green vehicles in an effort to make a better choice for the environment, only to discover Volkswagen deliberately deceived them,” Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement Tuesday. “Volkswagen pulled a bait-and-switch on Washington consumers, and our agreement holds them accountable."
Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify that in addition to $26 million Washington will receive in the settlement, the state also is eligible to receive $103 million to fund mitigation projects.
