Report: Hawaii Gives the Most to Elon Musk and Al Gore

From US PIRG, May 19,  2019

IN 2016, VOLKSWAGEN ADMITTED to installing illegal emissions control software on more than half a million vehicles in the U.S. and entered into a massive multibillion dollar settlement with federal authorities.11 The majority of the settlement funds were set aside for compensation to owners of offending vehicles, but the settlement also included nearly $3 billion for the Environmental Mitigation Trust to fund transportation projects across the country. The Environmental Mitigation Trust funds were allocated to each state and territory through a formula based on how many non -compliant vehicles were registered there. The awards range from around $8 million (Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico) to more than $400 million (California).

Under the terms of the settlement, states can spend their allocation of the Environmental Mitigation Trust funds in a number of ways, including purchasing newer diesel vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and electric vehicles, as well as repowering older diesel vehicles with newer engines or electric motors.13 States are also allowed to use up to 15 percent of their award on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure….

Washington and Hawaii earned a top of-the-class A+ for spending as much as the settlement allowed on electric vehicle charging infrastructure (Elon Musk) and electrified mass transit buses (Al Gore) and ferries (not so super). Rhode Island and Vermont both garnered A’s. Each state committed substantial amounts to accelerate electrification, including electrifying their mass transit systems. …

read … Full Report

Feb 7, 2018: Electric Buses: Caldwell Helps Al Gore with Billion Dollar IPO

April 20, 2018: Al Gore’s E-Bus Can’t Make it up Hills—‘Everybody was giggling’

March 22, 2019: Hawaii PUC approves special rates for Al Gore's electric buses

Hawaii: $8,125,000 settlement 

UD: States squandering $3B VW settlement fund with lack of EV focus: report