CNGnow

Applications Due Feb. 1, 2013

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin accepting applications Dec. 1 for its Natural Gas Vehicle Grant program, which will provide up to $20 million over the next three years to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles. The program, part of Act 13 announced mid-2012, is aimed at stimulating growth of the state’s natural gas vehicle (NGV) population.

“With this new technology coupled with grant money available, Pennsylvania is in a leadership position to wean our country from its dependence on foreign oil for transportation fuel,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. After passing Act 13, DEP set about hosting a series of seminars over several months to educate the public about the grant program and converting vehicle fleets to run on natural gas.

“Now, our grant program will provide funding for local governments, schools and businesses to land lower operational costs, lessen dependency on foreign oil and clean the air all at the same time,” Krancer added.

In the first year, $10 million in grants will be available, $5 million of which is slated for local transportation organizations, including non-profit agencies providing public transportation services and public transportation, port and redevelopment authorities. Non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, local transportation organizations, state-owned or state-related universities, commonwealth or municipal authorities and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will be eligible to apply for the remaining amount.

An additional $7.5 million in funding will be available the second year, with $2.5 million the third year.

Eligible vehicles must weigh 14,000 pounds or more and be fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG). Bi-fuel vehicles are also eligible.

Grant awards will be capped at 50 percent of the incremental purchase or retrofit cost per vehicle, with a maximum total of $25,000 per vehicle. The incremental purchase cost is defined as the difference between a vehicle eligible for these grants and one powered by traditional fuels, such as diesel or gasoline.

First year grants will be awarded in late March 2013.

More details available at www.dep.state.pa.us: click on the Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program button.​