Pennsylvania Adds 500 Miles to Alt-Fuel Corridors

Pennsylvania - Route 220 (Image: Wikipedia) In the U.S. State of Pennsylvania, the government has moved to expand routes for those who drive clean-fuel vehicles, including vehicles powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (PennDOT) have designated 500 more miles of highway as “Alternative Fuel Corridors” with readily accessible CNG refuelling and EV charging stations.

“Pennsylvanians are increasingly interested in protecting the environment and saving money by driving clean-fuel vehicles such as electric or compressed natural gas powered cars, buses, and trucks,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “DEP is committed to supporting these consumer choices and helping the state reach its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals through sustainable transportation initiatives.”

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) permits states to designate highways as Alternative Fuel Corridors if they meet federal criteria for the availability of EV charging, CNG, propane, liquid natural gas or hydrogen fuel stations.

PennDOT and DEP partnered to secure designations in April for about 560 more miles in eastern and central Pennsylvania. These highways have EV charging stations every 50 miles and CNG fueling stations every 150 miles. Stations are 5 miles or closer to the road.

“Pennsylvania is now a leading producer of natural gas, and the Alternative Fuel Corridor initiative aims to take advantage of this new, cleaner burning fuel source,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “PennDOT is excited to support this program that will bring benefits for the state, transit agencies, and the public for years to come.”

The following highways are newly designated as corridors for CNG:

Interstate 81 from Carlisle to the New York border
Interstate 78 from intersection with I-81 to Allentown
US Route 30/Interstate 676 from York to the New Jersey border
Interstate 70 from the Ohio border to the intersection with the Turnpike (New Stanton exit) and from the Turnpike Breezewood exit to the Maryland border

These latest routes, combined with those designated in 2016 and 2017, give Pennsylvania a total of 14 Alternative Fuel Corridors, covering 1,763 miles. See FHWA interactive maps showing routes for each type of fuel.

Corridor designation allows roads to have additional signage indicating that specific types of alternative fuel stations are available. PennDOT is developing a signage package. The agencies will pursue opportunities for further corridor designations as alternative fuel stations increase.

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to learn more about DEP grant programs that support installation of EV charging, CNG, or other alternative fuel stations for fleet or public use. Find information at Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants and Driving PA Forward.

Pennsylvania FAST Act Alternative Fuel Corridor Infrastructure solicitation

The Pennsylvania FAST Act Alternative Fuel Corridor Infrastructure solicitation is a special solicitation under the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program (AFIG) designed to support the installation of alternative fuel infrastructure along Pennsylvania Interstate Highway Corridors. The 2019 program is open to receive applications.

Under this program, approximately $1 million in grants is made available annually to install public-use electric, hydrogen, propane, and compressed natural gas refueling infrastructure along the highway corridors in Pennsylvania.

The application period for the 2019 AFIG Program opened on April 26, 2019. Applications must be submitted via the Electronic Single Application (ESA) System. Click here to apply. The AFIG Program will remain open throughout 2019. DEP will collect and review applications received by 4 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2019, and by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2019.

More information about the AFIG is available at Alternative-Fuels-Incentive-Grant.

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