The Maryland Department of the Environment has awarded $2.1 million in funding to private sector organizations to convert their motor fleets to cleaner alternative fuels. 
As part of the Volkswagen settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) for their violation of the Clean Air Act, Maryland is eligible to receive a total of over $75.7 million from the VW Trust. Yesterday, MDE announced they will award private businesses $2.1 million to switch to cleaner fuel sources. Along with the funds from the state, businesses will invest $5.3 million. The projects are projected to significantly contribute to reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx).
MDE awards:
$800,000 to Waste Management for 20 CNG-powered trash haulers
$455,000 to IKEA for two electric forklifts and chargers
$346,298 to Reston Limousine for two electric shuttle buses and chargers
$324,030 to United Airlines for two electric ground support equipment and chargers
$173,149 to Dream Management, Inc. for one electric shuttle bus and charger
“This is a partnership to boost environmental health and private sector action for a cleaner and greener future,” said Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “We’ll continue to focus on transportation electrification and fleet modernization to drive climate progress.”
From the press release:
In February, MDE, in coordination with Maryland Energy Administration and Maryland Department of Transportation, developed a spending plan to invest more than $75 million the state received under a settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and VW in transportation strategies and projects to improve the quality of the air that Marylanders breathe. The plan puts a priority on the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the replacement of old, dirty diesel engines with new, cleaner technologies.
