The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it will start accepting applications for its Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program March 1 providing an estimated $8 million in grants for the purchase or conversion of alternative fuel vehicles.  

The deadline for applications is May 30.  (formal notice)

“We are pleased to bring back this program, which provided more than $5 million to companies, organizations and innovators for alternative fuel projects last year,” Gov. Corbett said. “This additional funding will further our goals of improving Pennsylvania’s air quality while reducing the consumption of imported oil through the use of alternative fuels.”

Those eligible to apply include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, incorporated nonprofit entities, corporations and limited liability companies or partnerships registered to do business in Pennsylvania.   

“I am proud to announce the $8 million in grants for this important program because of what it does for Pennsylvania,” DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. “This program fosters both environmental improvement and economic development in Pennsylvania by encouraging the use of innovative, alternative energy technologies.”

Grant funds are available for the conversion or purchase of natural gas vehicles weighing 26,000 pounds or less, as well as the conversion or purchase of electric, propane or other alternative fuel vehicles of any size.

Applicants interested in purchasing or converting only one or two alternative fuel vehicles are encouraged to partner with other eligible applicants to aggregate vehicles into a single application, which will satisfy the grant’s five vehicle minimum.

Grant applications will also be accepted for innovation technology projects that include research, training, development and demonstration of new applications or next phase technology related to alternative transportation fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.

Grants will be awarded in the fall.

Webinar

Potential applicants are encouraged to participate in a related webinar, scheduled for March 11 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The AFIG fund was established under Act 166, and is administered by DEP through its Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance.

To register for the webinar, complete the online grant application or learn more, visit DEP’s AFIG Program webpage.

3/3/2014