NEW YORK, NY (Apr. 8, 2008) — Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced New York State’s largest settlement as a result of the Clean Air Act. American Electric Power (AEP), the nation’s largest power company, has been ordered to pay the state a total of $9.5 million, part of a $24 million award throughout the Northeast region.

Cuomo’s office said it will work to establish a public process for determining how the money will be distributed. Projects could include the purchase of clean-air school buses and other vehicles, the construction of "green" buildings and the installation of solar and other renewable energy systems.

The settlement with AEP was reached in October 2007 and included a coalition of states and environmental groups led by Cuomo. Aside from New York, the funds will be allocated to the following states: Connecticut ($1.8m), Maryland ($1.2m), Massachusetts ($3.1m), New Hampshire ($1.2m), New Jersey ($4.2m), Rhode Island ($1.2m), and Vermont ($1.8m).