The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently announced the availability of approximately $1 million in new grants to support the installation of publicly accessible alternative fuel infrastructure projects in designated major transportation corridors.
According to the DEP, examples of eligible projects include electric vehicle charging stations, compressed natural gas refueling stations and propane refueling stations. All projects must be fully accessible to the public and be located within the designated alternative fuel corridors of I-76, I-276, I-476, I-70, I-95, and I-80.
The funding is made possible through the state’s FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) Act. This special solicitation under the AFIG (Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants) Program is designed to provide long-term certainty for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investments, the DEP adds.
“As the use of alternate fuels continues to increase, we must keep up with the demand for alternative fuel infrastructure along Pennsylvania’s high-volume transit corridors,” says DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Projects financed through these grants will offer additional flexibility and opportunities to those already committed to the use of alternative fuels and will make it more convenient for new users to take advantage of rapidly expanding alternative fuel technology.”
According to the DEP, individual project awards will provide up to a 50% reimbursement and be capped at $500,000. Proposed projects must be standalone and cannot rely on receiving funding from multiple applications. For additional application requirements and restrictions, visit the AFIG website here. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 17. The grant solicitation may be extended or re-opened at the discretion of the DEP.