The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says it will begin accepting applications on Dec. 1 for its Natural Gas Vehicle Grant program, which the DEP started promoting late this spring.
Over the next three years, the program will mobilize up to $20 million to help defray the incremental purchase and conversion costs associated with natural gas fleet vehicles. Eligible vehicles must weigh 14,000 pounds or more and be fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG). Bi-fuel vehicles are also eligible.
In the first year, $5 million is earmarked for local transportation organizations such as public transportation services and port authorities. Another $5 million will be available to just about every other type of fleet, from state and municipal governments to private companies. An additional $7.5 million in funding will be available the second year, and $2.5 million the third year.
Grants are capped at 50% of the incremental purchase or retrofit cost per vehicle, with a maximum total of $25,000 per vehicle. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2013, and the grants will be awarded in late March.
The DEP has provided fleets with easy online access to information about the program, as well as to the online portal where applications must be submitted.
