Volkswagen Settlement

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Oklahoma has been initially allocated approximately $21 million from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from the transportation sector. With this funding, DEQ has been able to develop several new programs to promote healthier air quality across the state. View the Oklahoma VW Settlement Factsheet   View lists and maps of funding recipients

Subscribe to Volkswagen Updates – To receive information on Beneficiary Mitigation Plan program updates, sign up for our VW Settlement mailing list.

Program Information

Alternative Fuel School Bus

The Alternative Fuel School Bus Program was created with the intent to reduce emissions from old diesel school buses.

ChargeOK

The ChargeOK: Oklahoma Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program was created to increase access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state.

On-Road

The On-Road Program was created to replace or repower diesel medium/heavy-duty trucks and shuttle/transit buses.

Non-Road

The Non-Road Program was created to repower or replace equipment in 4 categories: freight switchers, ferries or tugs, airport ground support equipment, and forklifts and port cargo handling equipment.

Important Documents

Grant Program Materials Reports & Funding RequestsBeneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP)Outreach MaterialsLegal Documents
  • Alternative Fuel School Bus Program – Program to promote the use of alternative fuels in school buses for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. This program has closed; Materials from past programs can be provided on request.
  • Oklahoma Clean Diesel (DERA) Program – An EPA-sponsored program funded by the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) that replaces diesel school buses. Volkswagen funds are used to match federal funds. The FY 2023-2024 application period closed on November 1, 2024.
  • ChargeOK: Oklahoma Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program – Program to install electric (EV) charging stations throughout Oklahoma. This program has closed; Materials from past programs can be provided on request.
  • On-Road Program – Program to replace or repower on-road diesel fueled Class 4-8 trucks and shuttle or transit buses with new diesel or alternative fueled vehicles. The On-Road2 application period closed on September 30, 2024.
  • Non-Road Program – Program to replace or repower equipment in 4 non-road categories: freight switchers; ferries or tugs; airport ground support equipment; and forklifts and port cargo handling equipment. This program has closed; Materials from past programs can be provided on request

Oklahoma “is required to maintain and make publicly available all documentation submitted in support of the each funding request and all records supporting all expenditures of Eligible Mitigation Action funds” from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. Funding requests and Semi-Annual Reports from DEQ will be available here: Oklahoma Funding Requests and Semi-Annual Reports

The Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) is a high-level plan describing the State’s intentions for utilizing Oklahoma’s funding allocation, including estimated emissions reductions along with general project descriptions and locations. DEQ held public meetings on December 5, 2017, and May 8, 2018, to explain the process and collect public input on the Oklahoma BMP. DEQ submitted the original BMP on June 8, 2018, and updated it in 2021 and 2024. For additional details on the BMP development and update process, please contact us.

Updated Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (submitted June 20, 2024)

Factsheets

In 2016, the United States settled claims against Volkswagen, et al., concerning the use of a “defeat device” installed on 2.0 and 3.0 L diesel vehicles which resulted in air pollution emissions from these vehicles exceeding federal guidelines. States are allocated a portion of the settlement based on their number of affected vehicles. Each of these vehicles can emit up to 40 times more than the legal limit for nitrogen oxides, air pollutants which negatively impact Oklahoma’s air quality and the health of citizens.

On October 30, 2017, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed an Executive Order that designates DEQ as the lead agency for administration of Oklahoma’s Volkswagen Settlement trust funds. The Office of the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment (SOEE) is providing oversight and final approval of the mitigation plan.

Contact

For more information, contact us by

Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental Quality
Air Quality Division
707 N. Robinson
PO Box 1677
Oklahoma City, OK 73101

External Links