New Bethlehem Benefits from Government Grant
A municipality right across the Armstrong County line received more than $50,000 in grant money from the state last week
New Bethlehem Borough, in Clarion County, received $55,620 to purchase six Compressed Natural Gas vehicles and convert two others - with partners 3M Transport, Baker Gas and Smerker Contracting
Governor Tom Corbett announced nearly $4 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants (AFIG) were made to 33 local governments, non-profit organizations and companies making the switch to compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, or electric, for medium to light-weight fleet vehicles last week.
“These important grants allow Pennsylvania to make the most of our abundant natural resources, edging us closer to energy independence while also helping to improve our air quality,” Corbett said. “This funding makes it possible for many local governments, organizations and companies to convert their lighter-weight vehicles to natural gas or other alternative fuels.”
The awarded AFIG grants will help pay for the conversion or purchase of 274 natural gas vehicles, 261 propane vehicles, and 23 plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles. An estimated 24 new fueling stations and 35 existing stations will be supported by these vehicles.
AFIG grants are an annual solicitation, providing financial incentive for a variety of transportation projects with the result of reducing air emissions in Pennsylvania. This year, AFIG grants focused on the conversion or purchase of natural gas vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds, as well as the conversion or purchase of electric, propane or other alternative fuel vehicles of any size.
Applications were also accepted for innovation technology projects that include research, training, development and demonstration of new applications or next phase technology related to alternative transportation fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. DEP awarded $1.8 million in AFIG funding to four innovative alternative fuel technology projects.
The AFIG fund was established under Act 166 of 1992, and is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection through its Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance
Regionally, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center received nearly $250,000 to purchase 21 passenger vans, Seven Springs Mountain Resort received nearly $34,000 to purchase five propane passenger buses and the Western Pennsylvania Alternative Fuel School Bus Program/Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities received $250,000 to purchase 50 propane school buses
Regional News | jweaver September 8, 2014
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By forward, September 8, 2014 @ 5:29 AM
The way some people talk on here makes me wonder why they aren’t converting these vehicles to run on coal….
By blutoblutarsky, September 8, 2014 @ 11:18 AM
Good one forward!