The Iowa Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Program.

The trust fund was created due to a complaint filed by the Environmental Protection Agency against Volkswagen in 2016 for violating the Clean Air Act. 

Iowa will receive roughly $21 million over the next several years for mitigation projects which will be distributed through a competitive grant application process. The first category of projects includes school bus, transit bus or shuttle bus, freight trucks and port drayage trucks and non-road transport and equipment. This category deals with replacing or repowering equipment with a new diesel, alternate fuel, or all-electric version or engine. 

The second category includes direct current fast charger corridor sites and community charging sites. Fast charging corridor sites are location-specific and community charging sites can be located anywhere throughout Iowa. 

Cities, counties and schools, among others, are encouraged to apply before 5 p.m. on March 5th. For more information on how to apply and the specifications for applying you can go here.