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In this issue:
Background Info
On September 18, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a Notice of Violation of the Clean Air Act to Volkswagen AG (VW), Audi AG and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. alleging that model year 2009-2015 Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars equipped with 2.0 liter and 3.0 liter engines included illegal "defeat device" software that circumvents EPA and CARB emissions standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Approximately 550,000 vehicles in the United States had "defeat devices" installed; approximately 16,000 were delivered to Maryland.
On October 25, 2016, the U.S. District Court Northern District of California approved a Partial Consent Decree between the U.S, Justice Department and VW regarding excess emissions of NOx due to the installation of these "defeat devices" on 2.0 liter diesel engines. The use of "defeat devices" has increased vehicle emissions of NOx at high way driving speeds, resulting in adverse affects on air quality. NOx emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is not sustainable to our air quality. More information on the consent decrees for VW may be found here.
The Consent Decree established an Environmental Mitigation Trust of $2.925 billion to fully remediate the excess NOx emissions from the affected 2.0 and 3.0 liter vehicles. The State of Maryland is eligible to receive over $71 million from the VW Trust for the 2.0 liter vehicles.
Maryland Mitigation Plan
A settlement for the affected 3.0 liter vehicles was reached December 20, 2016 as well and Maryland is eligible to receive an additional $4.6 million from the VW Trust for these vehicles. The State of Maryland is eligible to receive a total of over $75.7 million from the VW Trust to use for specifically defined eligible mitigation projects.
On August 1, 2018, Maryland released this draft “Volkswagen Mitigation Plan” (hereinafter referred to
as the Draft Plan) and is requesting public comment through August 31, 2018. Maryland will also hold
regional public meetings on the draft plan.
The Draft Plan maximizes the environmental benefits described above through a primary goal of
achieving the most NOx emissions reductions possible. It includes a balanced approach with
projects in the following category areas:
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Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (15%): The Trust Fund guidelines allow a maximum of 15% of
the funds to be used for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
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Private Businesses and Federal Government (37.7%): A portion of the funds available will be allocated
for private business and federal government projects.
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Local Governments and Communities and Environmental Justice (15.8%): Local governments and
communities will be given a chance to submit project ideas for funding.
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State Agency Projects (30.2%): MDOT has identified a number of potential projects within their
Transportation Business Units that would help the state continue to demonstrate leadership in pollution
reduction.
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Administrative Costs (1.3%): The Draft Plan sets aside $1 million of the Trust Funds for administrative
costs associated with overseeing and managing the Draft Plan.
The Maryland Department of the Environment
will be accepting comments on the proposed Mitigaion Plan until close of business on August 31, 2018. Please send comments to mde.vw@maryland.gov.
To learn more about the settlement or the draft plan, please visit the https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Air/MobileSources/Pages/MarylandVolkswagenMitigationPlan.aspx.
Please visit Sustainable Energy Program website to learn more about the County’s clean energy efforts.
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Residential -- home energy improvements up to $5,000
The TNI Clean Energy Grant to uplifts nine neighborhoods that face significant economic, health, public safety and educational challenges by offering residents of these nine communities that are Pepco customers, the ability to apply for grants to perform energy efficiency retrofits and subsequently, install solar photovoltaic (PV). including the residentially-focused
Commercial -- buildings receive grant up to $100,000
On the other hand, our commercially-focused Energy Star Certification & Green Leasing Grant Program, provide grants to existing office and multifamily building owners to perform energy and water efficiency retrofits and obtain the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star certification.
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Click to learn more about each program's incentives!
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IN THE D.C. METRO REGION FOR CLEAN, SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION!
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