Giant Eagle will add 20 CNG trucks to its fleet.
Twelve Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) clean energy vehicle projects have been funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as part of the commonwealth’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants (AFIG) Program. CNG projects accounted for almost 73% of funds approved.
Grant funding has been awarded to municipalities and businesses statewide for clean energy vehicle projects that will help improve air quality and public health statewide.
“As companies and municipalities look to save money in the long run by converting to less expensive alternative fuels, their good business sense benefits our communities and environment in Pennsylvania,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Reducing emissions helps lower the risks of health problems, such as asthma and lung disease, and climate change, such as flooding.”
The AFIG funding will support projects to replace older shuttles, school buses, waste-hauling trucks, and other vehicles with cleaner natural gas and other alt-fuel vehicles, as well as install fueling stations for such vehicles.
“Promoting the use of alternative fuels helps businesses lower costs while taking advantage of advances in clean energy vehicle technology,” Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin said. “It’s important for us to support businesses looking to switch to alternative vehicle fuels in order to help those businesses thrive here in Pennsylvania.”
CNG Projects
Allegheny County
• Giant Eagle, Inc.: $300,000 to purchase 20 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, saving more than 355,000 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Bradford County
• Valley Energy, Inc.: $10,950 to purchase two CNG pick-up trucks, saving 1,200 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Butler County
• Vogel Disposal Service: $286,163 for the purchase of eight CNG trucks, saving 56,000 gasoline gallon equivalents per year. Part of the dual-plug station will be open to the public.
Clarion County
• Francis J. Palo, Inc.: $37,500 to purchase five CNG powered pickup trucks, saving 18,750 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Lackawanna County
• LT Verrastro, Inc.: $142,969 to upgrade their CNG fueling station, which is also used by County of Lackawanna Transit System, saving 43,500 in gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Lancaster County
• Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority: $80,000 to purchase two CNG waste transfer trucks, saving more than 17,300 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
• Gorman Distributors, Inc.: $36,795 to convert three cargo vans to CNG, saving 3,300 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Luzerne County
• Eastern Freight Systems: $80,000 to purchase two CNG trucks, saving more than 99,000 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Montgomery County
• Waste Management: $300,000 to purchase eight CNG powered vehicles, saving more than 68,500 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
• Borough of Lansdale: $22,500 to purchase three electric vehicles, saving 126 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Philadelphia County
• First Transit, Inc.: $300,000 for 23 CNG shuttles and $300,000 for 18 CNG buses, saving more than 340,000 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
Washington County
• Waste Management: $300,000 to purchase eight CNG vehicles, saving more than 68,500 gasoline gallon equivalents per year.
The AFIG program supports markets for advanced, renewable, and alternative energy transportation technologies as a stimulus for opportunities that better manage Pennsylvania’s fuel resources to improve the environment, support economic development, and enhance quality of life. The program is funded by annual gross receipts tax on utilities.
