On February 28, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $1.5 million in 2022 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to help municipalities, schools, and businesses around the state switch to clean transportation and improve air quality in their communities.

The DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program helps municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations replace older gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with clean fuel transportation.

Grants were awarded in Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Dauphin, Lackawanna, Northampton, Potter, Philadelphia and Westmoreland counties.

This funding builds on Governor Shapiro’s agenda to create a bold, comprehensive climate and energy plan that will grow Pennsylvania’s economy, protect and create jobs, and address climate change.

The grant recipients, ranging from a small borough to rental car, garbage truck, and school bus companies, will replace 88 old gasoline or diesel vehicles with 78 electric and 10 renewable natural gas vehicles and install 36 chargers for electric vehicles.

“The Shapiro Administration is committed to growing the Commonwealth’s economy while protecting Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean air and pure water,” said DEP Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. “A growing number of organizations and businesses in Pennsylvania want to lower their transportation emissions. Today’s announcement demonstrates a shared commitment between the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and our local communities and businesses to improve air quality, address climate change, and increase the use of renewable energy across the Commonwealth.”

Click Here for a list of projects funded.

“We greatly appreciate this AFIG funding from DEP,” said Michael Bellvia, president of Pro Disposal, Inc. “We’re a family-owned local business, and committed to providing the best services for our customers. This investment will enable us to begin transitioning our fleet from burning fossil fuels to using renewable resources to reduce our carbon footprint, which will benefit both our company and our community.”

“Aero Corporation is committed to the adoption of electric vehicles,” said Tom Troxell, Director of Electrification. “This DEP grant will allow us to expand access to convenient and reliable fast charging for both our community and visitors to the keystone state.”

Getting more zero- and low-emission vehicles on the road in Pennsylvania helps reduce harmful air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds.

It also helps lower the level of carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases heating up the climate, in the air.

Gasoline and diesel vehicles generate 47 percent of nitrogen oxides emissions in Pennsylvania, contributing to ground-level ozone. This affects the health of children, older people, people who work or are active outdoors, and people with asthma, emphysema, or other lung conditions.

The transportation sector makes up 22 percent of Pennsylvania’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Visit the DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program webpage for more information on this program.

Other Funding Opportunities

Here are other opportunities for clean transportation funding--

March 31-- DEP Medium, Heavy Duty Zero Emission Truck Grants

March 27-- PennDOT Begins Accepting National EV Infrastructure Grants

May 5-- PennDOT Closing National EV Infrastructure Grants

July 31-- DEP Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebates (apply anytime)

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

[Posted: February 28, 2023]

3/6/2023