Volkswagen Settlement
The State of Arizona is reaching out to inform the public of the recent Volkswagen (VW) Settlement. In two related settlements, German automaker Volkswagen AG (VW) has agreed to spend up to $14.73 billion to settle allegations of cheating emissions tests and deceiving customers. The automaker will spend up to $10.03 billion to compensate consumers under the program and will spend $4.7 billion to mitigate the pollution from these cars and invest in clean vehicle technology.
VW Zero Emission Vehicle Investment Commitment and Outreach Plan:
Of that $4.7 billion in settlement funds, $1.2 billion were set aside for investment in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) projects nationally over a ten (10) year period. Eligible ZEV investments will include: the design, planning, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of ZEV infrastructure; the development of brand-neutral education and public outreach campaigns; and programs to increase public exposure or access to ZEVs.
VW Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund:
Over the next ten (10) years, the State of Arizona will receive nearly $57 million dollars in settlement funds for projects that reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in areas of the state significantly affected by diesel emissions. The State of Arizona was required to develop and submit a mitigation plan to the settlement Trustee that summarized how the state plans to use the mitigation funds. Eligible mitigation actions include replacing or repowering eligible large trucks, buses, freight switchers, ferries/tugs, medium trucks and other vehicles with new diesel or alternative fuel engines, or all-electric engines. Beneficiaries may also use up to 15 percent of their allocation of trust funds on acquiring, installing, operating and maintaining new light duty zero emission vehicle supply equipment. The state submitted its Beneficiary Mitigation Plan to the Trustee on June 8, 2018. Click here to access a simulated budgeting application that demonstrates scenarios for balancing the allotted trust funding and the environmental impact of the mitigation effort.
Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust - https://www.vwenvironmentalmitigationtrust.com
Arizona Attorney General Consumer Fraud Settlement:
The Attorney General's Office negotiated a $40 million settlement with Volkswagen to resolve consumer complaints. Under the settlement, VW agreed to pay Arizona consumers up to $1,000 for every qualifying vehicle. This settlement was managed through the Attorney General's Office. For more information, please refer to the Arizona Attorney General's website or call the claims administrator at 1-866-507-8035.
April 8, 2019 – State makes fifth wave of school bus funding awards
February 11, 2019 – State makes third and fourth waves of school bus funding awards
January 4, 2019 – State makes second wave of school bus funding awards
December 6, 2018 – State begins making school bus funding awards
August 13, 2018 – State begins accepting applications for funding
August of 2018 – Trustee approves mitigation plan
June 8, 2018 – State submits the mitigation plan
November 2017 – State applies for beneficiary status
January 30, 2018 – Beneficiary status approved
October 2, 2017 – Trust Effective Date established
March 15, 2017 – Wilmington Trust named as Trustee
November 24, 2016 – Deadline for submission of Trustee candidates
October 25, 2016 – Consent Decree approved by the court
Arizona Attorney General's Office Consumer Fraud Settlement
More information concerning the VW Settlement can be found at: https://www.vwdieselinfo.com/
Information, including application instructions, concerning the ZEV funding can be found at: https://www.electrifyamerica.com/
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information concerning the VW Settlement: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/volkswagen-clean-air-act-civil-settlement
Consumer information regarding the VW Settlement can be found at: https://www.vwcourtsettlement.com/en/
Stakeholder links:
NASEO – National Association of State Energy Officials - http://www.naseo.org/volkswagen-settlement
NACAA – National Association of Clean Air Agencies - www.4cleanair.org
NASEO/NACAA VW Settlement Clearinghouse - http://vwclearinghouse.org
2020 Semiannual Trustee Report #4 (06/30/2020)
2020 Semiannual Trustee Report #3 (01/31/2020)
2019 Semiannual Trustee Report #2 (07/31/19)
2019 Semiannual Trustee Report #1 (04/23/19)
Appendix D4 School Bus Replacement Project Approved
Appendix D4 On-Road State Fleet Replacement Project Approved
State of Arizona Beneficiary Mitigation Plan
Notice of Beneficiary Designation under the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust for State Beneficiaries
Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries
Email Availability of Mitigation Action Funds pursuant to Section 4.2.8 of the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries
FUNDING INFORMATION
School Bus Award List (04/16/19)
Notice of Funding Availability: VW Environmental Mitigation Trust Funds for Arizona's Lower-Emission School Bus Program
School Bus Grant Agreement Template
Fleet/vehicle tracking spreadsheet
Appendix D4 School Bus Replacement Project
REIMBURSEMENT INFORMATION
VW School Bus Program Request for Reimbursement (4/15/19)
VW School Bus Program Instructions for Reimbursement Requests (4/30/19)
VW School Bus Program Scrapping Certificate (4/30/19)
eCivis Guide for VW Request for Reimbursement (11/5/19)
TRAINING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 03/06/19)
eCivis grants training presentation
Archived WebEx eCivis training for application submission (password: 6CsUuJpZ)
Archived WebEx eCivis training for grant administration (password: pPzNmHA2)
ASBA Presentation (July 10, 2018)
ASBA Webinar link (July 10, 2018)