DEP Awards $19.6 Million To Support 18 Local Projects In 15 Counties To Reduce Diesel Emissions From Freight, Cargo Transportation Thru Driving PA Forward Initiative

On October 29, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $19.6 million to support 18 clean transportation technology projects in 15 counties to help reduce diesel emissions from freight and cargo transportation sources in disproportionately impacted communities as part of the Driving PA Forward initiative.

The grants were made in Allegheny, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Centre, Clearfield, Columbia, Dauphin, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and Westmoreland counties.

Click Here for a list of projects funded.

“Improving air quality across Pennsylvania is a priority and with the help of the PA-FIT  grants we can help organizations reduce polluting emissions from diesel engines,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “This program helps the Commonwealth invest in alternative transportation clean technologies and in turn invests in our communities.”

Collectively, the awarded projects are estimated to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, the gases most relevant for air pollution, by approximately 88 tons per year. In addition, there is expected to be an approximate combined reduction of 34 tons per year of particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide emissions. 

Funding for this program comes from a May 2018 settlement with Volkswagen over national vehicle emissions standards violations.

Visit the PA-FIT Clean Freight Transportation Grant webpage for more information on this program.

Click Here for the DEP announcement.

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-- DEP Awards $19.6 Million To Support 18 Local Projects In 15 Counties To Reduce Diesel Emissions From Freight, Cargo Transportation Thru Driving PA Forward Initiative  [PaEN] 

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[Posted: October 29, 2026]  PA Environment Digest