The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting applications for $5 million in grants in support of alternative fuel transportation.
The DEP’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program offers funding for the purchase and use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.
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.
“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,” says 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.”
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 fuels. The AFIG Program is funded by annual gross receipts tax on utilities.
The 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; and
• Innovative Technology – To support research, training, development and demonstration of new alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.
The DEP is instituting changes to the grants awarded for vehicle purchase and retrofit projects:
• For new compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biodiesel vehicles using a blend greater than B20, electric vehicles (EVs) with a battery system capacity equal to or greater than 20 kWh, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, applicants may request 100% of the incremental cost of the vehicle up to $40,000 per vehicle;
• For EVs with a battery system capacity between 10 kWh and 20 kWh, applicants may request 75% of the incremental cost of the vehicle up to $20,000 per vehicle;
• For existing CNG, LNG and biodiesel vehicles using a blend of B20 or greater and EVs with a battery system capacity of less than 10 kWh, applicants may request 50% of the incremental cost up to $20,000 per vehicle.
The application period opened on May 4 and will remain open throughout 2018. The DEP will collect and review applications received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 13 and 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14.
For the first time, applications can be submitted online through the Electronic Single Application system here. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.
Photo: 3D illustration by Quince Media
