The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting grant applications for the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust program.
In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a complaint alleging Volkswagen violated the Clean Air Act with the sale of motor vehicles between 2009 and 2016 equipped with “defeat devices” designed to perform differently during normal vehicle operation than during emissions tests. This meant that vehicles exceeded the EPA compliant levels of nitrogen oxides during normal use. Volkswagen agreed to settle some of the allegations with the creation of an Environmental Mitigation Trust (Trust) to fund strategies that will reduce nitrogen oxides emissions. Iowa will receive approximately $21 million in Trust funds for nitrogen oxides mitigation projects which will be distributed through competitive application programs over the next several years.
The first funding cycle will distribute $4.9 million across the three eligible project categories listed below.
Mitigation Category Funding Available
Category 1 - Class 4-8 School Bus, Shuttle Bus, or Transit Bus $3,150,000
Category 2 - Freight Trucks and Port Drayage Trucks $1,050,000
Category 3 - Non-Road Transport and Equipment $700,000
TOTAL $4,900,000
Private organizations, public transit system operators, cities, counties, and schools that own and operate diesel fleets and equipment in Iowa are eligible to sponsor projects. State agencies are not eligible for this program with the exception of those that may serve as public transit system operators for projects eligible under Category 1.
To learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply, visit the program website at https://www.iowadot.gov/vwsettlement. Questions must be submitted in writing via email to vwsettlement@iowadot.us and responses will be posted on the website for all applicants to review. Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. CST, Jan. 18, 2019.