By Jason Warner, GOPC Manager of Government Affairs

Greater Ohio has regularly provided updates on the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund settlement and grants that are available through the program.

The first round of grants were awarded last year, and as Ohio EPA prepares to open the second round of grant requests, the department will be holding webinars for those who are interested in learning more about the application process and requirements.

Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, June 11, 10:30 a.m.

Ohio EPA staff will explain project eligibility, the application process, and changes made since the 2018 application cycle.

If you are interested in learning more, you can register for the webinars online:

You can read more about the VW Settlement by reading some of our previous blogs.

The 2019 Request for Applications will be released Monday June 3rd at 8:00 a.m., and be posted to the program website at that time. This cycle, Ohio EPA is offering $15 million in grants to support projects to replace or repower aging diesel vehicles and equipment with new diesel or alternative-fueled vehicles and equipment. Five million dollars will be awarded to replace or repower diesel school buses, five million for public transit buses, and the remaining five million will be allocated among projects involving medium and heavy duty trucks, switcher locomotives, tugs and ferries, port cargo handling equipment, and airport ground support equipment. To be eligible for replacement or repower, diesel vehicles must be operating in 26 eligible counties. Grant applications must be submitted online no later than 3:00 p.m. August 2nd.

This cycle will not include funding for electric vehicle charging stations. Ohio EPA expects to offer a separate application opportunity for those in the fall of 2019.