Maine transportation agency to distribute $3 million in VW settlement funds

Tue, 08/13/2019 - 11:30am

    The Maine Department of Transportation will distribute approximately $3 million in Volkswagen environmental mitigation settlement funds. This money is what's remaining in the Appendix D-2 Eligible Mitigation Action category. An eligible party still operating a vehicle with a diesel engine from 2009 or earlier may receive between 25 and 80 percent of the base price of a new vehicle through this settlement fund.

    This is the second round of competitive funding. The first round, announced last year, resulted in payments totaling nearly $2 million. MaineDOT will continue to distribute funds until they are exhausted.

    How To Apply:

    1. The 2019 application can be found here: mainedot.gov/vw/application 2. MaineDOT will begin accepting applications for this second round of funding on September 16th, 2019. 3. All applications must be submitted by November 15th, 2019. 4. Applications must be mailed or emailed to:

    David Gardner
    Maine Department of Transportation
    Environmental Office
    16 State House Station
    Augusta, ME 04333
    david.gardner@maine.gov

    5. Vehicles being replaced must be in operation and planned to be in operation. Vehicles not in service will not be considered. 6. Decision criteria are included in the application. 7. Application results will be finalized around January 2nd, 2020. A notification of award or non-award will be mailed to the applicant and results will be posted at: mainedot.gov/vw/results

    Background:

    The U.S. District Court in Northern California approved a partial consent decree to settle allegations that Volkswagen had installed defective devices on 2.0- and 3.0-liter diesel vehicles sold or leased in the United States. Maines VW settlement allocation totals a little more than $21 million dollars. The Appendix D-2 Eligible Mitigation Action category represents $5 million of that total. Individuals and entities that have an interest in applying for Maine VW environmental mitigation settlement funds are encouraged to submit applications.

    Maine Department of Transportation is the lead state agency for Maines VW settlement fund. If you have any questions, please contact MaineDOT's David Gardner by email at David.Gardner@Maine.gov, or visit Maines VW settlement website - mainedot.gov/vw - for more information.