PENNSYLVANIA WATER UTILITY EXPANDING CNG FLEET

On Monday, Pennsylvania American Water, the state’s largest water utility, announced plans to expand its fleet of CNG vehicles to its northeast Pennsylvania operations. As a result of Pennsylvania’s Act 13 funding recently awarded by Gov. Tom Corbett, the company will receive a $315,000 grant for the purchase of 18 new bi-fuel utility trucks. The grant was secured through a partnership with Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities Coalition, which serves 34 counties in eastern Pennsylvania and works with vehicle fleets, fuel providers, community leaders and other stakeholders to implement alternative fuel use in transportation. The new vehicles will be stationed at operations in Scranton, expanding upon the company’s existing CNG-powered fleet in Norristown, Royersford, Coatesville, Bangor, Clarion and Punxsutawney. “By growing our fleet of CNG and bi- fuel pick-up and utility trucks across the state, we are able to achieve operational savings through lower fuel costs while decreasing our environmental impact and carbon footprint,” said Pennsylvania American Water president Kathy L. Pape. In early 2013, Pennsylvania American Water launched a pilot with four CNG-powered Ford F-250 trucks based in Punxsutawney and Coatesville. Last November, the company received $62,800 in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant (AFIG) funding from DEP to convert 14 new light duty trucks to CNG. The Act 13 Natural Gas Vehicle grants are financed by impact fees paid by natural gas operators.