PENNSYLVANIA OPENS AFIG PROGRAM GRANTS WORTH $8 MILLION

On March 1, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) opened the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program, providing an estimated $8 million in grants for the purchase or conversion of alternative fuel vehicles. The AFIG fund was established under Act 166, and is administered by DEP through its Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance. 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. Grant funds are available for the conversion or purchase of NGVs weighing 26,000 lbs. or less, as well as the conversion or purchase of electric, propane or other alternative fuel vehicles of any size. “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,” said Gov. Tom Corbett. “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.” 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 that 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.

Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on May 30, 2014, and grants will be awarded in the fall. Potential applicants are encouraged to participate in a related webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. To register for the webinar, complete the online grant application or learn more about the AFIG grant program at www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: AFIG.