The clock is ticking for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to submit plans for receiving their portions of the $2.7 billion VW Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund.
The Final Trust Agreement was filed yesterday with the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, which approved the trust agreement on Sept. 19, setting into motion a requirement for each beneficiary state to submit certification of their lead agency by Dec. 1. Each state then has until the end of the year to submit a Beneficiary Mitigation Plan that outlines how the funds will be used as well as the expected emissions benefits.
The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services said in a statement on Tuesday that state agencies, local school districts and private school bus contractors should “remain engaged” with their state’s appointed beneficiary by informing them of engine repower or school bus replacement needs so they can meet current federal emissions standards.
Last month, the National Association of Clean Air Agencies posted links to state and local agencies and programs related to the Mitigation Trust Fund.
