The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for a special Alternative Fuel Corridor Infrastructure Grant Program to provide up to 50 percent of the costs to install public refueling facilities along highway corridors designed by the Federal Highway Administration. (formal notice)

In Pennsylvania I-76, I-276, I-476, I-70, I-95, and I-80 will be the sole focus of this grant program.  To be eligible, projects must be sited within approximately 5 roadway miles of the FAST Act designated corridor segment.

The deadline for applications is November 17.

“As the use of alternate fuels continues to increase, we must keep up with the demand for alternative fuel infrastructure along Pennsylvania’s high volume transit corridors,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Projects financed through these grants will offer additional flexibility and opportunities to those already committed to the use of alternative fuels, and will make it more convenient for new users to take advantage of rapidly expanding alternative fuel technology.”

Approximately $1 million in grants will be available to municipal authorities, political subdivisions, nonprofit entities, corporations, and limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth to install public-use electric, hydrogen, propane and compressed natural gas refueling infrastructure.

Individual project awards will be capped at $500,000.

The infrastructure must support public vehicles seeking to undertake alternative fuel refueling, including electric vehicle charging, or hydrogen, propane or compressed natural gas refueling.

Eligible project infrastructure must: be publicly accessible 24/7; incorporate roadway signage compliant with the FAST Act; offer an open and common payment platform; feature standardized nozzles and connectors; be co-located with convenient consumer amenities at safe locations; and provide travelers with measures of assurance that the fuel will be available during their planned stop.

Project infrastructure must be designed to meet 5-year future projections of anticipated usage for the public at the proposed public stations.

For more information, visit DEP’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program webpage.

(Photo: Compressed natural gas refueling station in Towanda, Bradford County, StateImpact.)

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