As part of the settlements, Volkswagen will to help boost zero emissions vehicles and introduce a program to offset excess diesel pollution from the offending vehicles.
The massive project -- which could have benefited businesses large and small and created thousands of jobs -- faced mounting opposition from environmentalists and politicians.
The tiny, synthetic beads -- found in facial cleansers, hand washes and toothpastes -- have been found to pollute our waters and introduce toxic chemicals into the food chain.
