The U.S. State of Pennsylvania has awarded more than USD 3 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants (AFIG) to 33 companies, counties and organizations making the switch to compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or propane for medium to light-weight fleet vehicles. The awarded AFIG grants will help pay for the conversion or purchase of 351 natural gas vehicles weighing less than 14,000 pounds.
“This funding makes it possible for many commercial, county and non-profit groups to convert their lighter-weight vehicles to natural gas or other alternative fuels,” Acting Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. “The 33 AFIG grants announced today – along with the next round of Act 13 grants – allow us to make the most of our abundant natural gas resources, edging us closer to energy independence while helping to improve our air quality,” Abruzzo said.
AFIG grants are an annual solicitation, providing financial incentive for a variety of transportation projects with the result of reducing air emissions in Pennsylvania. This year, AFIG grants focused on medium to light-weight vehicles. DEP will announce the focus of the next round of grants when it opens, which is expected in early 2014.
Abruzzo also announced that the second round of Act 13 Natural Gas Vehicle grants will open on Saturday, Nov. 9, providing an estimated $11 million to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds. The Act 13 Natural Gas Vehicle grants are financed by impact fees paid by natural gas operators.
Fifty percent of this funding is allocated exclusively for local transportation organizations, including non-profit agencies providing public transportation services and public transportation, port and redevelopment authorities, as well as school bus projects.
Others eligible to apply include incorporated non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, state-owned or state-related universities, commonwealth or municipal authorities, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Grant requests can be no more than 50 percent of the incremental purchase or retrofit cost per vehicle, with a maximum of $25,000 per vehicle. Applications are due by 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, and will be awarded in the spring. To register for the webinar, or learn more about the Act 13 and AFIG grant programs, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on the “Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program” button.
Among the grant recipients are:
- Cranberry Taxi, retrofit 25 new dedicated CNG vehicles to expand its para-transit services. CNG fuel systems to be installed by World CNG in Norristown, Montgomery County – $156,250
- Keystone Quality Transport, conversion of 74 vehicles to CNG bi-fuel – $248,000 (part thereof)
- Delaware Express Shuttle, purchase 15 CNG airport shuttle vehicles that will provide service to and from the Philadelphia airport and throughout Southeast Pennsylvania – $96,000
- O Ring CNG Fuel System and Partners, purchase 18 new CNG vehicles and convert six existing vehicles to CNG – $133,715
- L.T. Verrastro, Inc., purchase 20 CNG vans, trucks, and sport utility vehicles. LTV has recently initiated the installation of a CNG filling station at its own facility in Old Forge,
- Lackawanna County – $135,461VNG Company and Partners, purchase 32 CNG vehicles. These vehicles will support the development of a new public CNG fueling station by VNG – $235,000
- Philadelphia Gas Works, purchase 50 CNG vehicles to demonstrate to PGW customers the financial viability of CNG as a fleet fuel – $240,000
- Utztran Quality Foods, conversion of 10 delivery trucks to CNG. Each year, this project will displace approximately 14,860 gallons (GGE) of gasoline – $102,050
(Source: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
