Nevada Division of Environmental Protection among 1st in nation to award VW air quality grants

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection among first in nation to award grants for air quality improvement projects using VW Settlement funds

CARSON CITY, NV – The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (NDCNR) Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has identified 12 projects to fund in the first annual funding cycle of its Diesel Emission Mitigation Fund (DEMF). These projects will significantly reduce the release of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) into Nevada’s air from on-road and non-road diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. With $6.6 million from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, NDEP will leverage more than $9.4 million in funding from project partners to mitigate excess NOx emissions associated with Volkswagen’s 2.0 and 3.0L diesel-powered cars, and efficiently and cost-effectively reduce NOx emissions from areas of Nevada that bear a disproportionate share of NOx pollution and other pollutants.

“NDEP’s Bureau of Air Quality Planning, helped by Clark and Washoe Counties’ air quality agencies, has worked over the past several months to develop the DEMF so that it was ready for its first annual competitive funding cycle in 2018,” said NDEP Administrator Greg Lovato. “Nitrogen oxides are unhealthy pollutants from vehicles. Once completed, these projects will improve our air quality.”

From new school buses in Clark, Humboldt, Pershing, and Washoe Counties, to electric airport ground support equipment for airlines in Las Vegas and Reno, as well as natural gas-powered transit buses and refuse trucks, a total of 185 vehicles will be replaced and five vehicles will be repowered throughout Nevada.

Bradley Crowell, Director of NDCNR added, “Nevada is appreciative of the EPA and Department of Justice for their work in securing the Volkswagen Clean Air Act settlement to enable funding of these diesel emission reduction projects. Nevada also acknowledges the original data collection and collaboration efforts of the International Council on Clean Transportation, the West Virginia University Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions, as well as the work of the California Air Resources Board to bring the information on the Volkswagen emission system defeat devices to EPA’s attention.”

The NDEP received 37 applications for projects in the DEMF’s first annual competitive funding cycle, and expects disbursement of funds as reimbursement to begin in 2019. For additional information about the funded projects, Nevada’s mitigation plan, and NDEP’s continuous work to improve air quality in Nevada, go to https://ndep.nv.gov/air/vw-settlement/2018-DEMF-awards.