Springfield Installs Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Station
SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – The City of Springfield received the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust Fast Charge TN Network Grant from the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to install an electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station.
The station is being installed at Springfield City Hall between City Hall and The Center. MAP
“We are excited to usher in a new era of sustainable mobility,” said Terry Resha, Springfield Electric Director. “These charging stations not only represent progress but also a commitment to embracing innovative solutions for the benefit of our community.”
The construction and implementation process is wrapping up with final approvals expected to be achieved during the upcoming Board of Mayor & Aldermen meeting scheduled for March 19. An opening date will be announced soon. Stay tuned to Smokey Barn News for the latest updates.
COMPANION PIECE: What is the “Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust?”
Volkswagen (VW) publicly admitted that it had secretly and deliberately installed a defeat device—software designed to cheat emissions tests and deceive federal and state regulators—in approximately 590,000 model year 2009 to 2016 motor vehicles 
containing 2.0 and 3.0 liter diesel engines. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against VW, alleging that the company had violated the Clean Air Act. In October 2016 and May 2017, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (“Court”), approved two partial settlements related to the affected 2.0 and 3.0 liter vehicles, respectively, totaling $14.9 Billion (“the VW Settlement”).
In April 2017, a third partial settlement, addressing civil penalties and injunctive relief, was approved by the Court. Under the third partial settlement, VW has paid a $1.45 Billion civil penalty for the alleged civil violations of the Clean Air Act. The money was collected via the Department of Justice and was deposited to the U.S. Treasury.
The VW Settlement will be implemented through the First Partial Consent Decree and Second Partial Consent Decree. Under these consent decrees, VW has agreed to:
- Dedicate $10 Billion to the recall of at least 85% of the affected 2.0 and 3.0 liter vehicles;
- Invest $2 Billion in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and promotion (“Zero Emission Vehicle Investment Plan”); and
- Establish a $2.9 Billion Environmental Mitigation Trust to mitigate the environmental effects of the excess nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from the affected vehicles.
Information on these three components of the VW Settlement is available HERE.
THE GRANT ITSELF
TDEC Grants $5.2M for Fast Charge TN Network
TDEC announced $5.2M in grants for EV charging infrastructure,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “12 entities will receive funds to install DCFC units along state highways, part of a TDEC-TVA partnership to develop a statewide EV fast-charging network.”
“Grantees include the City of Athens, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, BrightRidge (Johnson City), Paris Utility Authority,
Brownsville Energy Authority, Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperative, Columbia Power and Water Systems, Smithville Electric System, City of Dayton, City of Springfield, EPB of Chattanooga, and Tullahoma Utilities Authority,” Salyers added.
“TVA plans to fund 21 projects statewide, aiming to reduce barriers to EV adoption,” said TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash. “The program aligns with the VW Settlement EMT to reduce NOx emissions and will complement the NEVI Formula Program.”
“TDEC leads the VW Settlement EMT allocation, with future funding announcements to follow,” Salyers concluded.
TDEC Announces Grants for Fast Charge TN Network Under Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust
Thursday, July 28, 2022 | 09:55am
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced that 12 entities will receive $5.2 million in total grant funding to install direct current fast charging (DCFC) infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) along prioritized interstate or major highway corridors across the state.
The 12 projects will involve the installation of 32 total charging units at 13 sites. The program is part of a partnership between TDEC and TVA to develop a statewide EV fast-charging network along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways to power the growth of EVs across the state.
Selected grantees include:
City of Athens
Memphis Light, Gas and Water
BrightRidge (Johnson City)
Paris Utility Authority
Brownsville Energy Authority
Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperative
Columbia Power and Water Systems
Smithville Electric System
City of Dayton
City of Springfield
EPB of Chattanooga
Tullahoma Utilities Authority
In addition to the projects listed above, TVA anticipates funding 21 projects in Tennessee, which will include the installation of 56 total charging units at 27 sites. This investment is part of TVA’s broader Fast Charge Network that aims to reduce barriers to EV adoption by deploying fast chargers at least every 50 miles along the interstates and major highways across its 7-state service territory by 2026.
The competitive grant program comprises the state’s fourth solicitation for projects under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW Settlement EMT). The purpose of the EMT is to execute environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Of the funded charging infrastructure, 10 chargers at three sites will be installed in former nonattainment areas for ozone and/or fine particulates (PM2.5) under National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
“We are glad we can put these funds to use in ways that serve all motorists with electric vehicles,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “We are rapidly moving toward more electric vehicles on our roads, and this is a way to stay ahead of that demand.”
“Electrification of transportation is critical to help our nation achieve its energy security and decarbonization goals,” said Jeff Lyash, TVA president and chief executive officer. “Today, thanks to Governor Lee and TDEC, our region is the nation’s epicenter for EV technology and manufacturing, and this grant demonstrates how we can move the Tennessee Valley further and faster, together, to make a cleaner future a reality.”
The program will complement the state’s use of its allocated funds under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The NEVI Formula Program aims to build out fast charging infrastructure along federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, which in Tennessee includes all of the two-digit interstate highways and the majority of U.S.-64.
TDEC is the lead agency for administering the state’s VW Settlement EMT allocation. Announcements on future funding programs under the EMT will be shared by the department.
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