INDIANA– After awarding more than $45 million in grant funding for clean air projects across the state, the Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Committee met for the final time on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Under an executive order, Governor Eric Holcomb formed the 11-member committee to manage and allocate Indiana’s portion of a settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Volkswagen Corporation for federal Clean Air Act violations. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) was named the beneficiary and administrative agency for the trust fund.
“I am incredibly thankful for the leadership and commitment of the Hoosiers serving on the committee,” Governor Holcomb said. “Their stewardship has helped lay the groundwork for a clean transportation infrastructure that will result in a healthier environment and economic future for Indiana.”
Since its formation in October 2017, the committee has awarded 152 grants to public and private entities totaling approximately $45 million to fund clean air projects significantly reducing diesel emissions across Indiana. The projects are estimated to reduce lifetime NOx emissions by 810 tons, reduce particulate matter (PM2.5) by 35 tons, and account for 5.1 million gallons of fuel saved. Notable projects include:
- $6 million to install 61 DC fast charging stations and 55 Level 2 charging stations across Indiana, including Gary, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and Goshen.
- To purchase electric and propane school buses, $10 million in grants to Indiana school systems, including in Indianapolis, East Chicago, Jeffersonville, Kokomo, and Bloomington.
- $6.4 million was invested to replace diesel transit, motor coach, and shuttle buses with compressed natural gas and all-electric alternatives at the Indianapolis International Airport, South Bend Public Transportation Corporation, Lafayette Limo, CityBus of Greater Lafayette, and Gary Public Transportation Corporation.
- $800,000 will be used to launch GOEVIN, an education and outreach initiative to provide Hoosiers with reliable information on electric vehicles and EV infrastructure.
“The VW Trust Fund Committee has made a lasting impact to help protect Hoosiers’ health and the environment,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “The projects they reviewed and funded have measurably resulted in cleaner air and improved quality of life for Indiana citizens.”
Since the initial appointment, eight committee members remained serving at the time of the final meeting:
- Bill Beranek, President, Indiana Environmental Institute
- Beverly Gard, former Indiana State Senator
- Reginald Jones, Central Indiana business owner and philanthropist
- Kay Nelson, Director of Environmental Affairs, Northwest Indiana Forum
- Jody Peacock, Chief Executive Officer, Ports of Indiana
- Brian Rockensuess, IDEM Commissioner
- Michael Smith, INDOT Commissioner
- Jennifer Thum, Soil Conservation Director for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture
As one of their final acts, the committee delegated IDEM to oversee the disbursement of any remaining funds not previously allocated or accrued through interest. The agency plans to distribute the remaining money, estimated at $1 million, to current projects needing additional funding or qualifying projects not previously funded.
