Volkswagen has agreed to settle allegations that it violated the federal Clean Air Act by installing “defeat devices” on 2.0 and 3.0 diesel vehicles. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) determined that the affected vehicles exceeded federal emission standards for nitrogen oxide (NOx), a pollutant that is known to harm public health and contribute to ozone or smog formation. Under two partial consent decrees issued by DOJ, states will receive settlement funds equivalent to the number of registered 2.0 and 3.0 diesel vehicles.