PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP Awards $2.3 Million To Schools, Businesses, Local Governments Switching To Zero- Or Low-Emission Vehicles; Now Accepting Applications

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

DEP Awards $2.3 Million To Schools, Businesses, Local Governments Switching To Zero- Or Low-Emission Vehicles; Now Accepting Applications

On July 30, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $2.3 million to 25 recipients for 27 projects to improve air quality across the state through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure through the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program.

Grants were awarded in Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Centre, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.

Click Here for a list of grants awarded.

"This funding builds on the Shapiro Administration's commitment to address climate change through alternative fuel solutions that are reliable and efficient. AFIG aims to increase sustainable and renewable energy throughout Pennsylvania's transportation sector, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for many communities," said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "A substantial amount of air pollution comes from cars and trucks on the road, and through these projects, we are making Pennsylvania's air cleaner. The awarded AFIG projects reflect an array of low- and zero-emission transportation and electric vehicle infrastructure that will reduce air pollution."

In Pennsylvania, 47 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions come from gasoline and diesel vehicles, and transportation contributes up to 22 percent of Pennsylvania's overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The awards will save an estimated 895,231 gallons of gasoline per year.

The projects will result in the deployment of 85 alternative fuel vehicles, including 63 electric and renewable natural gas vehicles, and will install 22 new Level 2 chargers and three DC Fast chargers for electric vehicles. 17 projects are located in or serve Environmental Justice (EJ) areas.

The DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program supports projects to replace older gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with cleaner fuel vehicles and install related fueling infrastructure to improve air quality in Pennsylvania.

This is the second round of 2023 AFIG funding, with each project building on Pennsylvania's clean energy economy.

The funded projects will engage a diverse range of stakeholders in advancing sustainable transportation.

This includes Environmental Justice Areas (EJ Areas), which DEP defines as a geographic area characterized by increased pollution burden and sensitive or vulnerable populations based on demographic and environmental data.

Now Accepting Applications

The 2024 AFIG Program is currently accepting grant applications from school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania.

Applications for the second round of 2024 projects will be accepted until December 20, 2024.

More information is available on DEP’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program. webpage.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.