Dinniman: Alternative Fuel Grants Available
Applications Being Accepted for PA’s Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2010

CONTACT: ADAM CIRUCCI     
PHONE: 610-692-2112     
acirucci@pasenate.com

WEST CHESTER (July 27) - State Senator Andy Dinniman encouraged local municipalities, school districts, businesses and nonprofit organizations to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program.

“This important program offers grants to local governments, companies, schools and nonprofits that use alternative fuels, like biodiesel, in their vehicles,” Dinniman said. “The goal is not only to improve our air quality but also to reduce our dependence on foreign oil through the use of homegrown alternatives.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently reopened the program and $6 million in funding is available. Projects eligible for funding include the following:

• Retrofiting existing vehicles to operate on alternative fuels;
• Purchasing new vehicles that use alternative fuels;
• Purchasing alternative fuels for fleet vehicles; and
• Purchasing biofuel refueling equipment or storage and tank cleaning.

In addition, incentives are available for companies that research technology for alternative-fuel vehicles or produce renewable fuels. Funding is available for qualified renewable fuel producers to receive reimbursement of up to 10 cents per gallon of renewable fuel produced in the calendar year for up to 12.5 million gallons.

Projects must begin on or after July 1, 2010, and must be completed within two years.

Applications must be submitted via the Environmental eGrant system at www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us. Paper applications will not be accepted. Senator Dinniman urged eligible applicants to apply now because the deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, August 27.

“I urge municipalities, school districts, businesses and nonprofit organizations to take on or continue to support alternative fuel transportation projects with the help of this program,” Dinniman said. “It’s a great incentive to go green, and I’m proud to say that West Chester University, along with several school districts in Chester County have been awarded AFIG grants in the past.”

Since the AFIG program was expanded in 2004, it has awarded $31 million to 93 projects and leveraged an additional $194 million in investments from public and private fleet operators and fuel providers.

For more information, contact Adam Cirucci in Senator Dinniman’s office at 1-610-692-2112 or at acirucci@pasenate.com.

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