NDDEQ seeks comments on updates to Volkswagen mitigation plan

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) invites citizens to submit public comment on proposed revisions to North Dakota’s mitigation plan for the Volkswagen Settlement. A state must outline an action plan to reduce NO_x emissions based on the settlement’s list of eligible projects to receive settlement funding.

The minor plan revisions focus mainly on the program’s budget and updates to the program’s estimated funding awards for each eligible project category. A copy of the draft revised mitigation plan, and the current mitigation plan, can be found at https://deq.nd.gov/AQ/planning/VW.aspx.

During the first two years of the program, the NDDEQ has awarded Volkswagen Settlement funding for projects throughout North Dakota to replace 24 school buses, six emergency vehicles, and nine trucks. In addition, funding has been awarded to install 17 electric vehicle charging sites across the state.

The NDDEQ is not currently requesting project proposals but is seeking public comment to help finalize the revised mitigation plan. The 30-day comment period begins August 26 and ends September 25, 2021. The public can send written comments to the Division of Air Quality, 4201 Normandy Street 2nd Floor, Bismarck, ND 58503-1324 or email airquality@nd.gov. See Notice of Public Participation.

More information on North Dakota’s Volkswagen Settlement program is available at https://deq.nd.gov/AQ/planning/VW.aspx.

For more information, please contact Angela Seligman at 701-328-5291 (aseligman@nd.gov), or Keith Hinnenkamp at 701-328-5196 (KHinnenk@nd.gov).

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The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality relocates effective September 1

BISMARCK, N.D. – Effective Wednesday, Sept. 1, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality will move its operations from the Gold Seal Building on Divide Avenue to the Normandy Building at 4201 Normandy Street, Bismarck, ND 58503-1324. Although the physical address is changing, all other contact information will remain the same, including email addresses, phone numbers, and the website.

New Address:
Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Air Quality
4201 Normandy Street, 2nd Fl
Bismarck, ND 58503-1324

For more information, contact Jennifer Skjod (jskodk@nd.gov) via email or phone (701-328-5226).

State Clean Diesel Grant — Application Available

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) is pleased to release the annual State Clean Diesel Grant Program application. Schools, cities, counties, and other government agencies that required larger, diesel-powered vehicles are encouraged to apply for State Clean Diesel Grant awards.

The NDDEQ will issue approximately $327,000 in awards funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the purchase of new or newer diesel-powered, zero-emission, hybrid, or alternatively fueled vehicles. The purpose of the funding is to reduce diesel emissions in accordance with the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of the Energy Policy Act of 2010. To date, 93 older vehicles in North Dakota have been replaced using this funding, with a reduction in air emissions of about 175 tons over the lifetime of those vehicles.

The application and program guidelines are available HERE (.docx).

Applications can be mailed to
Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Air Quality
918 E Divide Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501-1947

or emailed to airquality@nd.gov.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. CT on March 31, 2021.

For more information, please contact either Keith Hinnenkamp (khinnenk@nd.gov) via email or phone (701-328-5188).

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NDDEQ seeking applications for Volkswagen settlement funding

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) is again accepting applications for project funding from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. Eligible projects, outlined in North Dakota’s mitigation plan, reduce emissions of the pollutant nitrogen oxide (NO_x). .

During this year of the project, the NDDEQ may issue up to $2.7 million in funding from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust to replace or repower various eligible vehicles and equipment. Funding will be available to government and non-government entities for projects that mitigate the negative air quality impacts caused by Volkswagen’s use of emissions testing defeat devices in their vehicles sold and operated in the United States. North Dakota’s share of the trust is approximately $8.1 million.

More information, program guidelines and all the necessary application materials are available at https://deq.nd.gov/AQ/planning/VW.aspx.

Applications can be mailed to
Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Air Quality
918 E Divide Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501-1947

or emailed to airquality@nd.gov.
The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at 5 p.m.

For more information, please contact Angela Seligman at 701-328-5291 (aseligman@nd.gov), or Keith Hinnenkamp at 701-328-5196 (KHinnenk@nd.gov).

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State Clean Diesel Grant — Application Available

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) is pleased to release the annual State Clean Diesel Grant Program application. Cities, counties and other government agencies that conduct work for the benefit of the public and require diesel-powered vehicles are encouraged to apply for State Clean Diesel Grant awards.

The NDDEQ will issue approximately $315,000 in awards funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the purchase of new or newer diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. The purpose of the funding is to reduce diesel emissions in accordance with the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of the Energy Policy Act of 2010. To date, 81 older vehicles in North Dakota have been replaced using this funding, with a reduction in air emissions of about 250 tons over the lifetime of those vehicles.

The application and program guidelines are available HERE. Applications can be mailed to the Division of Air Quality, 918 E Divide Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501-1947 or emailed to airquality@nd.gov. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. CT on March 20, 2020.

For more information, please contact either Keith Hinnenkamp (khinnenk@nd.gov) via email or phone (701-328-5188).

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