Governor's Order Begins Process To Distribute $40.9M From VW Settlement

Last updated on Thursday, October 12, 2017

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order outlining next steps to distribute Indiana’s $40.9 million portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund (trust fund), which was formed as a result of a settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Volkswagen Corporation for its violation of the federal Clean Air Act.

The executive order establishes the Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Committee (committee) and names the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) as the beneficiary of and the administrative agency for the trust fund.

The 11-member committee is charged with establishing appropriate procedures for distributing the funds and working with IDEM to develop a plan for how the funds should be used, which must be made available for public comment. The committee will ensure the funds are distributed in alignment with the plan, and IDEM will provide staff support to the committee.

Committee Members

Beverly Gard, former Indiana state senator

Kay Nelson, director of environmental affairs, Northwest Indiana Forum

Bill Beranek, president, Indiana Environmental Institute

Reggie Jones, central Indiana business owner and philanthropist

Brent Dickson, retired Indiana Supreme Court Justice; adjunct at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law

Joe McGuinness, commissioner, Indiana Department of Transportation

Tristan Vance, director, Indiana Office of Energy Development

Danielle McGrath, vice president, Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Melissa Rekeweg, interim director, Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Bruno Pigott, commissioner, Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Jody Peacock, vice president, Ports of Indiana

The trust fund was established to offset the excess pollution emitted by vehicles associated with Volkswagen's Clean Air Act violation. As such, the executive order charges IDEM and the advisory board to ensure the funds are directed to achieve that purpose.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

Click here to go back to previous page