17414_Authority_April_2024

48 The Authority | APRIL 2024 DEP Awards $1.28 Million to Municipalities for Cleaner Fuel Transportation Infrastructure The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program provides funding to help replace older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with eco-friendly vehicles Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $1.28 million in 2023 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) funding to municipalities and businesses to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure. “Communities are investing in zero- and low- emission transportation because they recognize this is a pathway to cleaner air and better health,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "This round of awarded projects to be deployed all across Pennsylvania includes a range of electric delivery trucks, passenger vehicles, tractors, and more — with three new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. DEP is committed to providing opportunities to deploy cleaner transportation alternatives which improve air quality and results in healthier communities.” 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 AFIG program provides funding to help school districts, municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania replace these older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with electric, renewable natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), ethanol, biodiesel, or propane gas fueled vehicles. It also funds installation of fueling equipment for these vehicles. The funding program engages 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. The grant awarded funding to 13 projects. Eleven projects will provide 25 electric and 23 CNG vehicles, and two infrastructure projects will enable EV chargers at three locations. These projects are estimated to save 95,555 gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) per year. Eight projects are located in or serve EJ Areas. The funded projects are as follows: Allegheny County • Churchill Borough: $15,000 for the purchase of two Class 1 EV passenger vehicles for use by the Borough’s police department. • Borough of Oakmont: $7,500 for the purchase of one Class 2 EV light duty truck for use by the Borough’s Parks Department maintenance staff. • West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Authority : $7,500 for the purchase of one Class 1 EV passenger vehicle. • Allentown Mack Sales & Service Inc: $98,807 for the installation of DC Fast chargers, as well as Level 2 chargers, at two locations, one in Allegheny County and another in Schuylkill County. Armstrong County • Snyder Brothers, Inc.: $112,500 for the purchase of 20 Class 2 CNG light duty trucks. Blair County • Northern Blair County Regional Sewer Authority : $7,500 for the purchase of one Class 2 EV light duty truck. PMAA member authorities noted in bold.