Pennsylvania Allocates $5 Million to Support Alternative Fuel Initiatives 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting grant applications for innovative, advanced fuel, and vehicle technology projects that will result in cleaner advanced alternative transportation within the commonwealth. DEP’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program offers funding for the purchase and use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. Grant applications will be accepted now through July 13, 2018.

“Transportation grants such as these provide support for schools and other entities to cut down on their carbon footprints and improve the air we breathe, all while saving money,” said Patrick McDonnell, DEP Secretary. “It is important to look to all of the vehicles on the road, so this year we are giving priority to projects for emergency vehicles.”

New this year, AFIG will give priority to projects that include the use of the funded vehicles by emergency personnel in emergency responses, rescues, and evacuations.

The AFIG Program can assist school districts, municipal authorities, nonprofits, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships registered to do business in Pennsylvania in offsetting the costs of implementing alternative fuel using transportation projects. The AFIG Program is funded by annual gross receipts tax on utilities.

DEP is offering grants in the following project categories:

• Vehicle Retrofit or Purchase – To offset the incremental cost of purchasing alternative fuel vehicles or retrofitting existing vehicles to operate on alternative fuels.
• Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure – To assist in the costs to purchase and install refueling equipment for fleet and workplace, home or intermediary refueling.
• Innovative Technology – To support research, training, development, and demonstration of new alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.

DEP is instituting changes to the grants awarded for natural gas vehicle purchase and retrofit projects:

• For new CNG and LNG vehicles, applicants may request 100 percent of the incremental cost of the vehicle up to $40,000 per vehicle.
• For Existing CNG and LNG vehicles, applicants may request 50 percent of the incremental cost up to $20,000 per vehicle.

The application period opened on May 4, 2018 and will remain open throughout 2018.  DEP will collect and review applications received by Friday, July 13, 2018 and Friday, December 14, 2018.

For the first time the AFIG program will be submitted online through the Electronic Single Application system at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. Hardcopy applications will not be accepted. More information is available here.