In another move aimed at reducing emissions from cars and trucks, the State Department of Environmental Quality is offering $6.5 million from the Volkswagen Settlement Trust On-Road Program.
DEQ said the money is available for a reimbursement program to replace or repower eligible on-road vehicles, and some vehicles are eligible for up to 100% funding. The goal of this program is to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by replacing or repowering older vehicles with newer diesel or alternative fueled vehicles.
According to the DEQ, it is a competitive funding opportunity available to government and non-government applicants seeking to improve their heavy truck, medium truck, or bus fleets. A cost-share may be required for funding under this program. School buses are not eligible for this funding.
Oklahoma’s share of the original VW Environmental Mitigaton Trust Agreement made in 2016 totaled nearly $21 million. The funds were intended to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from the transportaton sector.
In 2016, the United States settled claims against Volkswagen, et al., concerning the use of a “defeat device” installed on 2.0 and 3.0 L diesel vehicles which resulted in air pollution emissions from these vehicles exceeding federal guidelines. States were allocated a portion of the settlement based on their number of affected vehicles. Each of these vehicles can emit up to 40 times more than the legal limit for nitrogen oxides, air pollutants which negatively impact Oklahoma’s air quality and the health of citizens
Applications for the latest funding project will be accepted through September 30, 2024. For an application or more information please visit https://www.deq.ok.gov/air-quality-division/volkswagen-settlement/on-road-program/ or email questions to: VWSettlement@deq.ok.gov
