HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced that the third round of Natural Gas Vehicle grants will open on Saturday and will provide an estimated $6 million to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles.
“Pennsylvania continues to move in the right direction by creating opportunities to convert vehicle fleets from imported oil to homegrown, clean-burning, affordable natural gas,” Corbett said. “We encourage all who are eligible for this funding to lower their operational costs and lessen our dependency on foreign oil.”
Since 2013, $14 million has been awarded to 44 organizations and companies making the switch to compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and bi-fuel vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or more.
Those eligible to apply include non-profit organizations, local transportation organizations, state owned or state related universities, commonwealth or municipal authorities, for-profit companies and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Requests can be no more than 50 percent of the incremental purchase or retrofit cost per vehicle, with a maximum total of $25,000 per vehicle.
Grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, and will be awarded this winter.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to participate in a related webinar, scheduled for Sept. 22, from 2 to 3 p.m. To register for the webinar and view the updated guidance document and online grant application, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on the “Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program” button.