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MPCA seeks input on Phase II plan for spending VW funds

In 2018, MPCA released the state’s plan for spending the $47 million allocated to Minnesota in the national Volkswagen settlement. Phase I of the plan, covering 2018-2019, is nearing completion and it’s time to start planning for Phase II. MPCA is asking for input from the public and stakeholders to develop a plan for Phase II. Tell us what you think!

MPCA will be hosting 10 community listening sessions around the state in June. The sessions will provide background on the VW settlement and information on results and learnings from Phase I. Most of the time will be dedicated to talking about what matters to participants and how you’d like to see the funds spent in Phase II. We want to know what you liked about Phase I and what we can improve.

Save the date! Events in Greater Minnesota will offer both an afternoon and an evening time. The content at these two meetings will be the same. Please join us at one of the following events*:

• Marshall, June 4, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Marshall Lyon County Library, 201 C Street
• Rochester, June 5, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Wood Lake Meeting Center, 210 Wood Lake Drive SE
• Bemidji, June 12, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., location TBD
• Duluth, June 13, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., MPCA Duluth Office, 525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400
• Minneapolis, June 17, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center, 2001 Plymouth Avenue North
• Burnsville, June 25, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Dakota County Burnhaven Library, 1101 W County Road 42

*Some locations are still being finalized. We will let you know of any changes as soon as possible.

We will also be hosting at least two meetings focused on technical details of the program. Stay tuned for more information on those.

As we develop the plan for Phase II, we are committed to understanding and including your input. We hope you will join us to talk about what matters most to you. And please help spread the word! Learn more about the settlement, what it means for Minnesota, and how to have your voice heard on our website.

We’ll come to you

Can’t come to a meeting or want to give more specific input? MPCA staff would love to come to your meeting or event to hear your input on how to spend VW settlement funds. If you would like us to come to you, e-mail us at vwsettlement.pca@state.mn.us.

Timeline

MPCA will be gathering input to help develop the Phase II plan throughout the summer. We will draft the plan this fall and share it for additional input this fall. The final plan will be submitted to the settlement trustee for approval by the end of 2019.

Coming soon: Grants to replace diesel equipment with electric alternatives

This summer MPCA will be releasing another VW grant opportunity for replacing diesel vehicles/equipment with electric versions. If you think you might want to apply, now would be a good time to begin researching EV alternatives and possibly other financial partners. Stay tuned!

Another opportunity to provide input: How should Minnesota reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation?

MnDOT, in collaboration with the MPCA and other agencies, has launched a project to explore potential strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from on-road vehicles in Minnesota, called “Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation.” The project is intended to be a starting point to inform future work by the state to reduce emissions from transportation. There are community meetings scheduled around the state in June (Twin Cities, Duluth, Bemidji, Rochester, Marshall) as well as a webinar, an online survey, and an open comment period. Learn more on MnDOT’s website.