Latest Updates

• 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 October 3, 2018.
• 2019 Funding Request for State Multimodal Priorities projects for Class 4-8 (PDF) shuttle buses or transit buses were awarded on January 1, 2019.
• Maine’s Semi-annual Report was submitted to Wilmington Trust on April 1, 2019.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The State of Maine announces that the application period for the first round of competitive funding, for actions qualifying for VW Environmental Mitigation Settlement Funds opens on July 9, 2018. The Round 1 process is described in the RFP Timeline. Completed applications must be submitted via this website or by mail postmarked by September 15, 2018.

Please Note:

• Applicants for funding must use the fillable application form available on the Application page.
• Dollar totals of each request must be the actual funding amount sought from VW Environmental Mitigation Settlement Funds. This amount will be the base price of the qualifying equipment or vehicle times the percentage of qualifying funds as listed in the VW Eligible Mitigation Actions document.
• Maine anticipates several application rounds for competitive Appendix D-2 qualifying actions. Approximately $2 million will be distributed to qualifying proponents during round 1; however, the State of Maine reserves the option to adjust the total distribution based on applications received.
• Decision criteria are included in the application. Every effort will be made to distribute Appendix D-2 qualifying funds equitably.
• Frequently asked questions regarding the application process will be posted on the Application FAQs page.

The Application for Funding page was added to the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Settlement project on April 27, 2018.

On February 12, 2018, The Final Beneficiary Mitigation Plan has been posted to our website.

View the document (PDF)

On January 29, 2018, Wilmington Trust filed the docket designating Environmental Mitigation Settlement Beneficiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The State of Maine is officially designated as a Beneficiary.

Today MaineDOT received the following message from Wilmington Trust, the VW settlement trustee:

“We have reviewed your Appendix D-3 which was sent to us via Intralinks on 11/8/17. In accordance with Paragraph 4.0 of the Trust Agreement, we confirm, based on the evidence you sent us of your filing with the U.S. Court for the Northern District of California (the “Court”): that you have satisfied your requirement to file your Appendix D-3 with the Court on time and to deliver a copy to the Trustee on time. We have checked your filing against Appendix D-3 to the State Trust Agreement to confirm that it was done on the same form as Appendix D-3, that it was executed by the Governor of your State and that it includes the attachment required by paragraph 7 of Appendix D-3. The Trustee is not charged with determining the adequacy of your response to paragraph 7 of Appendix D-3. However, we note that it is the United States and not the Trustee who has the right to object to your filing in accordance with subparagraph 4.0.1 of the States Trust. Finally, as required by Paragraph 4.0 of the Trust Agreement, please remember to forward a hard copy of the Appendix D-3 (and related attachment under Appendix D-3 Paragraph 7) by mail or courier to my attention as follows: VW Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust c/o Wilmington Trust, N.A., as Trustee 1100 North Market Street Wilmington, DE 19890 Attn: Russ Crane, 5th floor Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to working with Maine. Best regards, Russ

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: University of New England, WCHP Lecture Hall, Proctor Hall, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland
FMI-Phone: 207-624-3097
FMI-Email: judy.gates@maine.gov
Download the Notice: pdf

In 2016 and 2017, the U.S. District Court in Northern California approved partial consent decrees to settle allegations that Volkswagen (VW) had installed defeat devices on 2.0 and 3.0-liter diesel vehicles sold or leased in the United States. The Court’s settlement orders VW to fund actions that reduce NOx emissions to improve air quality and provide health benefits via an Environmental Mitigation Trust. These actions will be carried out by “beneficiaries”, consisting of each state, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and Native American tribes. Each beneficiary’s settlement amount is determined by the number of registered vehicles identified as having defeat devices.

Maine’s allocation totals just over $21 million dollars. There are strict rules about how and when this money can be spent. Although MaineDOT has been designated as the lead agency for fund distribution, it is working closely with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor’s Energy Office. Public feedback is also important to realizing the greatest gain for Maine’s air quality. To gather this feedback, the State of Maine will host two public meetings regarding the ongoing Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Settlement.

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Husson University, Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business, 1 College Circle, Bangor, Maine
FMI-Phone: 207-624-3097
FMI-Email: judy.gates@maine.gov
Download the Notice: pdf

In 2016 and 2017, the U.S. District Court in Northern California approved partial consent decrees to settle allegations that Volkswagen (VW) had installed defeat devices on 2.0 and 3.0-liter diesel vehicles sold or leased in the United States. The Court’s settlement orders VW to fund actions that reduce NOx emissions to improve air quality and provide health benefits via an Environmental Mitigation Trust. These actions will be carried out by “beneficiaries”, consisting of each state, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and Native American tribes. Each beneficiary’s settlement amount is determined by the number of registered vehicles identified as having defeat devices.

Maine’s allocation totals just over $21 million dollars. There are strict rules about how and when this money can be spent. Although MaineDOT has been designated as the lead agency for fund distribution, it is working closely with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor’s Energy Office. Public feedback is also important to realizing the greatest gain for Maine’s air quality. To gather this feedback, the State of Maine will host two public meetings regarding the ongoing Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Settlement.

The Department of Justice filed the executed Volkswagen Settlement Trust documents on the morning of October 2, 2017, which make this date the Trust Effective Date. States have 60 days after today to file the Certification for Beneficiary Status, App. D-3, with the Court and the Trustee. MaineDOT will be filing the necessary documents to request Beneficiary status prior to December 1, 2017.

Resources

• Notice of Filing (PDF)
• Court Filing of Certification for Beneficiary Status (PDF)

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice submitted the proposed VW environmental mitigation trust agreement to Judge Breyer in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Visit the U.S. District Court for Northern District of California's website to view related documents.

The environmental mitigation trust agreement (Appendix D) has changed from the original form version attached to the September 2016 2.0 Liter Consent Decree, but not in ways that affect the list of eligible projects or state allocations -- the substantive interests of the State beneficiaries. Because of the changes, DOJ and CA determined to submit the trust agreement by motion seeking court review and approval.

Accordingly, the proposed trust agreement submitted to the court was unsigned. Following court review and approval, the parties will execute the agreement. The trust will be effective upon filing of the executed trust agreement. More detailed information regarding the court’s approval process and the trust effective date when it is known. The trust effective date will “open” the 60-day window for States to submit a completed Certification of Beneficiary Status (Appendix D3) to the Court and the Trustee.