The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a Natural Gas Vehicle seminar on September 21, at the Community College of Allegheny County, to help municipal and commercial fleet owners make informed decisions about converting their fleets to compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas.

The seminar will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the campus' West Hills Center at 1000 McKee Road in Oakdale. Vendors interested in setting up an exhibit at this or future seminars are encouraged to sign up through DEP's website.

"In addition to informing local governments and businesses about how they can take advantage of an abundant, clean-burning and inexpensive fuel found right here in Pennsylvania, the feedback from these seminars will help us develop our grant program moving forward," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "Revenue from the impact fees assessed on unconventional wells will be used to promote these sorts of fleet conversions."

Act 13 of 2012 authorized DEP to develop and implement a Natural Gas Energy Development program to distribute up to $20 million in grants over the next three years to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles.

In addition to the September 21 session, half-day seminars are also confirmed for:

-- October 16, at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Erie County;

-- October 17, at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Lycoming County;

-- October 24, at the Radisson Hotel in Valley Forge, Montgomery County;

-- October 30, at the Lackawanna County Center for Public Safety in Jessup; and

-- November 1, at the Towanda Fire Hall in Bradford County.

To see a complete list of seminar dates and confirmed locations, and to register for any of the events as an attendee or vendor, visit DEP’s Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program webpage.

9/17/2012