Recently, 16 tribes in the Bering Strait Region were each awarded a lump sum of money through the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust for Indian Tribe Beneficiaries thanks to the support and assistance from Kawerak’s Environmental Program staff. These funds, given through settlement and not as a grant, can be used for whatever the Tribe deems an appropriate or effective project for their community as long as it contributes to cleaner air and reduces emissions.

In 2015 Volkswagen was caught circumventing emissions tests to hide the fact that their vehicles produced up to 40 times the legal limit for air pollutants harmful for human health and the environment. In response, the Volkswagen Diesel Emission Environmental Mitigation Trust for Indian Tribe Beneficiaries was created as part of the fine paid, with the intent for the funds to be used to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) elsewhere to make up for the damage done by the increase of pollutants.

At the time of the settlement, Kawerak’s Energy Specialist Amanda Toerdal worked with the Tribes in the region to complete large amounts of paperwork that resulted in bringing large lump sums to the communities. With these funds, new heavy equipment and power plant generators were purchased for 6 communities and these funds were utilized in 2022 for emission reduction measures.

Photo left and at top: Generator Install in Diomede

In 2023 the settlement opened once more to expend the remainder of the funds. The Environmental Team, Kayla Bourdon, Denise Olin, Anahma Shannon and Amanda Toerdal (now the Pilgrim Hot Springs General Manager) all worked together to call all the Bering Strait Region Tribes once more to inform them of the opportunity, and assisted with the paperwork for the funding transfer. With their efforts, and the quick attention and turnaround time by Tribal Coordinators and village staff, they were able to get 16 villages in our region some extra funding. A feat that seemed near impossible in the short deadline that was set for the application period.

“It was a wonderful effort,” says Environmental Program Administrative Assistant Denise Olin.  “The communities can use the money for whatever projects they need that support emission reduction or anything energy saving.” Bringing these funds in for projects that would otherwise not have funding opportunities can be a game changer for small communities to get new, energy saving equipment. “Seeing the funds come to the Tribes we serve makes the extra time and effort worthwhile,” says Amanda Tordal. “It fits our mission perfectly ‘advancing the capacity of our People and Tribes for the benefit of the region.”

Participating Tribes will have 18 months to spend the money and submit a final report to the Trustee on how they used the funds. “We look forward to seeing the resources and projects that will develop in the Bering Strait with these funds,” says Environmental Director Anahma Shannon.

Photo Above: Old dump trucks in multiple communities were replaced with newer, more fuel-efficient trucks with the money from the VW settlement.

Tribes and their awards:
Brevig Mission                 $23,117.71
Diomede                           $21,498.31
Elim                                    $22,731.84
Gambell                            $24,939.53
Golovin (Chinik)              $21,738.69
Koyuk                                   $22,820.40
Mary’s Igloo                     $20,802.48
Saint Micheal                     $23,199.94
Savoonga                          $24,831.99
Shaktoolik                           $22,333.31
Shishmaref                         $24,218.39
Stebbins                              $24,155.13
Unalakleet                        $24,433.47
White Mountain              $21,858.88
Wales ​              $21,662.78
Teller                                 $22,194.15
——————–
Region Total                       $366,507.00

 

To learn more about the settlement, visit https://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/volkswagensettlement/.