Arlington Gets $275K From MA Volkswagen Settlement

ARLINGTON, MA — The town has been awarded a $275,656 grant to buy three cleaner diesel trucks for the Department of Public Works. The funds come from the state's share of a court settlement with Volkswagen, which admitted to falsifying vehicle emissions data to make its vehicles appear less polluting. Arlington is one of 30 recipients to receive funding this year from the grant program, which is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

The town will buy one diesel dump truck and two diesel short haul trucks, replacing older trucks, one of which is 24 years old. The new trucks will use over 800 fewer gallons of diesel annually, saving the town money and reducing its airborne pollutants, according to a press release.

"This funding will allow the Department of Public Works to replace three older trucks with newer models that are not only less polluting, but less expensive to operate due to greater fuel efficiency and lower maintenance," Director of Public Works Michael Rademacher said in a statement. "We are grateful for this award and welcome these important additions to our fleet."

Massachusetts was awarded $75 million in Volkswagen's settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. It awarded $7.5 million of that settlement to communities in 2019.

"Massachusetts continues to be a leader in the effort to reduce harmful emissions from diesel trucks, buses and other engines," Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, who lives in Arlington, said in a statement. "With these grants, communities will be able to deliver municipal services in a more environmentally friendly way and private companies will help spread the advancement of modern clean-vehicle technology."

The successful grant application was prepared by Michael Rademacher, Director of Public Works, and Ken Pruitt, Energy and Project Manager, of Arlington's Department of Planning and Community Development. The full list of grant recipients can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/list-of-volkswagen-settlement-open-solicitation-grant-recipients-december-2019/download