Funding Categories and Allocations
Maine VW Settlement Funding Allocations
- VW Funding Allocation Matrix (Excel) (Updated May 2019)
Statewide Multimodal Priorities
Maine Beneficiary Mitigation Plan
Maine Beneficiary Mitigation Plan
Under the lead of the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), collaborating with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Governor's Energy Office (GEO), a plan has been drafted that includes projected qualifying expenditures from the Trust.
Updates
- 05/01/2019: Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Settlement Updates
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- The Appendix D-2 (PDF) projects for Class 4-8 school buses were awarded on October 31, 2018.
- 2019 Funding Request for State Multimodal Priorities projects for Class 8 (PDF) local freight trucks and port drayage trucks were awarded on
Settlement History
October 25, 2016
On October 25, 2016 the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California approved the U.S. EPA and California first partial consent decree with Volkswagen and Audi to settle allegations of installing "defeat devices" on 2.0 liter diesel vehicles sold or leased in the U.S.
Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Settlement
Volkswagen has agreed to settle allegations that it violated the federal Clean Air Act by installing “defeat devices” on 2.0 and 3.0 diesel vehicles. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) determined that the affected vehicles exceeded federal emission standards for nitrogen oxide (NOx), a pollutant that is known to harm public health and contribute to ozone or smog formation. Under two partial consent decrees issued by DOJ, states will receive settlement funds equivalent to the number of registered 2.0 and 3.0 diesel vehicles.
Adaptation
Adapting to climate change
MaineDOT is experiencing the effects of climate change first-hand. In 2022, a number of large storm events resulted in infrastructure failure, causing the roads to be impassible, extended detours, and millions of dollars in damage.
Renewables
Reducing emissions through renewables
MaineDOT has identified and pursued a few ways to decrease emissions through the use of alternative fuels and through the generation of renewable energy. Electrification is not a one-size-fits-all solution and MaineDOT has recognized this and continues to evaluate other techniques for reducing the agency’s building, on-road, and fleet emissions.
Vehicle Miles Traveled
Reducing emissions through lower vehicles miles traveled (VMT)
Reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled is another key strategy to reducing emissions in the transportation sector, identified in the State’s climate action plan. Although MaineDOT can’t ask drivers to use their vehicles less, the Department can provide drivers with the choice of alternative modes of transportation. There are a number of projects underway which have goals of increasing mobility options and increasing bike/ped safety, both of which may influence a driver’s decision to drive their vehicle.
Electrification
Reducing emissions through electrification
The transportation sector accounts for 49% of total emissions in Maine and is key to reducing overall state emissions. Electrification was identified in the State’s climate action plan as the #1 strategy for transportation emissions reduction.
- Funding for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Expansion
MaineDOT has been working with Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across