Portions of a massive Volkswagen settlement will benefit green energy and technology initiatives across Pennsylvania, according to an announcement by Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA)

The settlement was reached in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, where it was revealed the auto manufacturer was cheating U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions tests.

According to Governor's office, Pennsylvania will use nearly $8.5 million of its share of the settlement to fund dozens of clean energy transportation projects. The projects are part of the Driving PA Forward initiative which aims to reduce diesel initiatives through investments in electric, compressed natural gas, propane, and clean diesel technologies .

"Clean air is the cornerstone of a clean, healthy environment," Gov. Wolf said. "When Volkswagen cheated on its emissions equipment, it undermined that cornerstone. Through our new Driving PA Forward initiative, we will begin to remedy that by driving the transition towards advanced zero-emission and low-emission vehicles."

The funded projects include:

• Replacing diesel school buses with electric buses in districts across the state
• Replacing two diesel Port Authority buses in Allegheny County
• Replacing four older diesel trash trucks with four new CNG trash trucks in Beaver County
• Installing new electric car charging stations across the state

You can click here to see the full list of projects funded by the Volkswagen settlement.

In addition to contributing to climate change, health experts say diesel emissions can cause or compound a long list of health problems--particularly for children and the elderly. Diesel pollution can contribute to chronic asthma and other lung diseases; heart disease and heart attacks; respiratory illness; and pregnancy complications.

Photos, Video courtesy Driving PA Forward.