DEMP - Volkswagen Settlement and DERA

Florida’s Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program (DEMP) utilizes funds from the Volkswagen Settlement and EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) State Grant Program for projects that mitigate diesel emissions from mobile sources. 

For more information about the Volkswagen Settlement and the Environmental Mitigation Trust for State Beneficiaries, please visit the Volkswagen Settlement Information.

All DEMP activities related to the Volkswagen Settlement are guided by Florida's Beneficiary Mitigation Plan.

DEMP Initiatives

Diesel Switcher Locomotive Replacement

On November 16, 2022, the Department announced in the Florida Administrative Register (FAR) the availability of funding for Switcher Locomotive Replacement and Switcher Locomotive Repowering projects eligible for grant funding under the U.S. EPA’s DERA program. Switcher locomotive replacement projects and switcher locomotive repower projects would be considered for funding if the primary activity of the locomotive was to provide services in a Florida rail yard and/or commercial seaport located in an Air Quality Priority Area, as defined in Florida’s Beneficiary Mitigation Plan.

Applications were due by Friday, December 16, 2022.

Awards are subject to availability of funds as allocated under EPA’s DERA program and state budget authority. Priority will be given to projects that provide high emissions benefits, can be completed in a timely manner, and will encumber significant amounts of available funding. If the number of eligible projects submitted exceeds the available funding for this notice, the Department reserves the right to partner with applicants in the future. The Department reserves the right to reject any and all bids or accept minor irregularities in the best interest of the state of Florida. Please find below a link to DEP’s DERA Switcher Locomotive Replacement and Repower Application Worksheet.

FAR Notice of Funding Availability, November 16, 2022

DG011 Freight Switcher Project Application Worksheet

For more information about eligibility and cost-share requirements, see the "Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) in Florida" webpage to download the 2021-22 DERA Program Guide.

Electric Transit Bus Project

On Aug. 29, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced another step in the state’s efforts to modernize public transit and reduce air pollutants caused by diesel emissions. Through the Volkswagen settlement, the Department awarded more than $68 million to purchase 227 electric transit buses in 13 counties statewide, which will replace existing diesel transit buses in Alachua, Broward, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Leon, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco and Pinellas counties.  

On Feb. 25, 2022, the Department announced its Electric Transit Bus Grant program through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to support the purchasing of electric transit buses to replace eligible diesel transit buses. The purchasing of these electric transit buses is an important and effective way to reduce harmful emissions, especially in highly populated areas where mobile sources are the largest sources of air pollution. As more electric transit buses are deployed, emissions of air pollutants will be reduced, which will continue to improve Florida’s air quality.

Electric School Bus Project

The State of Florida has dedicated $57 million in VW Settlement funds towards the purchase of 218 electric school buses in seven Florida counties – Broward, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

Only school districts within an air quality priority area designated in the mitigation plan were eligible for this project. School districts had to provide at least a 25% cost share. Funding was provided on a competitive basis with school districts that provide the highest cost share being prioritized. Districts were encouraged to create partnerships with local electric utilities or other business entities to maximize cost-share opportunities.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - Phase 2

On Nov. 9, 2020, the Department announced a second and final competitive grant funding opportunity for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Funds were available for Level 3 (DC fast) charging near I-10, I-95, I-75 and I-4. The Department sought to fund approximately 32 charging station sites along these evacuation corridors and allocating remaining funds for projects from unawarded EVCI Phase 1 and EVCI Phase 2 applications. Each site was eligible for up to $500,000 in grant funding, and cost-share requirements applied.

The Request for Applications (RFA), which included information on project eligibility and instructions for how to apply, is available at the link below.

EVCI-RFA-02 - Extended Deadline

• EVCI Phase 02 - RFA Responses
• Attachment 1 Sample Grant EVCI
• EVCI Phase 2 Table of Awarded Applicants by Segment

The RFA was also available through the Vendor Bid System. The Department’s grant solicitation number for this RFA was EVCI-RFA-02. The EVCI Phase 2 RFA included 14 segments along I-10 plus 18 segments to complete charging corridors along Phase 1 routes.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - Phase 1

The Department posted a competitive grant funding opportunity for Level 3 (DC Fast) electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) on Feb. 10, 2020. The Department extended the application period and accepted applications submitted on or before May 7, 2020. The EVCI Phase 1 Request for Applications (RFA) and the Department’s responses to questions are linked below.

The Department awarded grants for all 27 segments identified in the EVCI Phase 1 RFA. A list of the awarded applicants for each of the 27 segments and a map of the project locations are linked below.

The closed RFA and Agency Decisions/Notice of Award is also available through the Vendor Bid System (VBS). For the VBS posting search, the closed RFA is EVCI-RFA-01 and the Agency Decisions post is EVCI-RFA-01-AD.

• EVCI-RFA-01
• EVCI Phase 01 RFA Responses
• EVCI Phase 1 Table of Awarded Applicants by Segment
• EVCI Phase 1 Map of Project Locations by Region

DERA State Grant - Marine Vessel/Engine and Electric Switcher Locomotive Replacement

On Aug. 27, 2021, the Department announced that it was offering grants for projects categories eligible for funding under the U.S. EPA’s DERA program.

The funding was for the replacement of eligible whole marine vessels, marine diesel engines, and the replacement of diesel switcher locomotives with zero-emission switchers. Marine vessel and switcher locomotive projects were only eligible for funding if the primary activity of the project unit was to provide services to Florida ports and rail yards.

Applications were required to be submitted to the Department at VWMitigation@FloridaDEP.gov by Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.

For more information about the DERA program, including grant applications, specific project eligibility, cost-share requirements, and past projects, please visit the Department's DERA State Grant Program or contact the Division of Air Resource Management directly at VWMitigation@FloridaDEP.gov.

News and Information

DEP has established an email list for parties interested in following developments related to the Volkswagen Settlement, DERA, project-specific funding under DEMP. Please visit the Department's subscription page to sign up for email updates.

• Sign Up for News & Info

Informational Links

• EPA website on the VW Settlement
• EPA's response to Frequently Asked Questions
• EPA Clean Diesel and DERA Funding website
• Additional information for owners of 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter VW vehicles
• U.S. District Court website on the VW Settlement