The Shapiro Administration Awards $2.3 Million to Schools, Businesses, And Local Governments Working To Switch To Zero- Or Low-Emission Vehicles

The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program provides funding to replace older gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with new, clean, alternative fuel vehicles

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded $2.3 million to 27 projects to improve air quality across the state through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure through the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program. 

“This funding builds on the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to address climate change through alternative fuel solutions that are reliable and efficient. AFIG aims to increase sustainable and renewable energy throughout Pennsylvania’s transportation sector, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for many communities,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “A substantial amount of air pollution comes from cars and trucks on the road, and through these projects, we are making Pennsylvania’s air cleaner. The awarded AFIG projects reflect an array of low- and zero-emission transportation and electric vehicle infrastructure that will reduce air pollution.”

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 awards will save an estimated 895,231 gallons of gasoline per year. 

The grant awarded funding to 25 grant recipients for 27 projects. The projects will result in the deployment of 85 alternative fuel vehicles, including 63 electric and renewable natural gas vehicles, and will install 22 new Level 2 chargers and three DC Fast chargers for electric vehicles. 17 projects are located in or serve Environmental Justice (EJ) areas.  

The DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program supports projects to replace older gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with cleaner fuel vehicles and install related fueling infrastructure to improve air quality in Pennsylvania. It builds on Governor Shapiro’s agenda to create a bold, comprehensive climate and energy plan that will grow Pennsylvania’s economy, protect and create jobs, and address climate change.

This is the second round of 2023 AFIG funding, with each project building on Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy. The funded projects will engage 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 2024 AFIG Program is currently accepting grant applications from school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania. Applications for the second round of 2024 projects will be accepted until December 20, 2024. More information is available on the AFIG Program webpage.  

The 2023 second round AFIG projects are:  

Allegheny County 

• Allegheny County will receive $22,500 for the purchase of four Electric pickup trucks. Vehicles will operate in EJ areas. 
• Baldwin Borough will receive $15,000 for the purchase of two EV passenger vehicles. The project is located and serves an EJ area. 
• Borough of Wilkinsburg will be allocated $22,500 in funding for the purchase of three EV passenger vehicles. Project is located and serves an EJ area. 
• Giant Eagle, Inc. will receive $300,000 for the purchase of ten Class 8 CNG trucks. The project will operate in EJ areas. 
• Pittsburgh Parking Authority will receive $30,000 for the purchase of four EV passenger vehicles. The project is located and operating in an EJ area. 
• Ross Township will receive $15,000 in funding for the purchase of two EV pickup trucks. 
• Shikun & Binui America, Inc. will be awarded $2,918 for 2 Level 2 chargers at staging and shop locations additionally located in Washington County.
• University of Pittsburgh will be awarded $27,132 in funding for the installation of four dual port Level 2 chargers for use by the University’s light-duty electric fleet.

Beaver County 

• Valley Waste Service, Inc. will receive $120,000 in funding for the purchase of six Class 8 RNG waste vehicles. This project will operate in EJ areas. 

Bucks County 

• Amber Dawn Photography will receive $7,500 in funding for the purchase of one EV passenger vehicle. Project is located in and will operate in an EJ area 
• Warrington Township will receive $15,000 in funding for the purchase of two EV passenger vehicles. The project is located in an EJ area. 

Centre County 

• The Pennsylvania State University will receive $11,625 in funding for the purchase of four EV passenger vehicles and one EV cargo van. Vehicles will operate in an EJ area. 
• The Pennsylvania State University will also receive $44,700 for the installation of eleven dual-port Level 2 chargers for use by the University Transportation and Information Technology departments to support the University’s EV fleet expansion.

Chester County 

• East Pikeland Township will receive $5,625 for the purchase of one Electric pickup truck. The vehicle will operate in EJ areas. An additional $49,585 will be awarded to install a DC Fast charger for use by the Township police fleet. 

Dauphin County 

• Derry Township School District will receive $50,000 in funding to purchase five propane school buses. The project is located in and serves an EJ area. 

Delaware County 

• Zero-Emission Electric Vehicle Program will receive $5,500 for the purchase of one Electric pickup truck. 
• Haverford Township will receive $78,240 in funding for the installation of five dual-port Level 2 chargers for use by the Township’s current police and municipal EVs and to support their future EV fleet expansion. 

Franklin County 

• Bousum Transfer LLC will receive $300,000 in funding for the purchase of eight CNG trucks for long-distance waste transfer.   

Montgomery County 

• Suburban Transit Network, Inc. will receive $221,516 in AFIG funding for the purchase of eight Class 3 propane transit vans. These vehicles will operate in EJ areas. 
• John S Posen, Inc. will receive $11,010 in funding for the purchase of one Class 5 propane truck. The project is located in an EJ area. 

Philadelphia County 

• KLS Logistics Inc. will receive $150,000 in funding for the purchase of two Class 8 EV trucks. The project will operate in EJ areas. 
• City of Philadelphia will receive $300,000 in funding for the installation of two dual-port DC Fast chargers for use by the City’s Department of Fleet Services and City staff. 

Schuylkill County 

• Current Trucking LLC will receive $160,000 in funding for the purchase of eight Class 3 EV delivery vans. This project is located in both Schuylkill and York County and will serve EJ areas. 

Somerset County 

• Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies will receive $95,000 in funding for the purchase of two EV passenger vehicles and two medium duty EV box trucks. This project will serve an EJ area. 

Westmoreland County  

• Shank Waste Service, Inc. will receive $120,000 in funding for the purchase of six Class 8 RNG waste vehicles. This project will operate in EJ areas. 
• Exel Inc. will receive $115,000 in funding for a Class 8 EV terminal tractor and a Class 6 EV truck operating at DHL supply yards. Additional project location includes Wyoming County. 

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website, or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.