Penn. Puts Money Where Their Rhetoric Is: Makes Grants Available To Buy Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Technology

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 9 -- On behalf of Pa. Gov. Mark Schweiker, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary David E. Hess today encouraged school districts, colleges and universities, local governments, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and residents to apply for more than $13 million in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants (AFIG).

"The AFIG program continues to fund a considerable number of projects that use alternatively fueled energy sources to reduce air pollution and our dependence on foreign oil," Secretary Hess said. "Past recipients have used the grants to convert bus fleets to run on compressed natural gas and to install natural-gas refueling stations."

To date, DEP has awarded nearly $19 million to fund 291 projects in 35 counties.

In the recently completed ninth cycle of the incentive-grant program, Penn State University received $8,357 toward the purchase of 10 new bi-fuel cargo vans. Friendly Transportation, located in Lancaster, received $2,195 toward the purchase of a natural-gas vehicle and the installation of a refueling station.

In addition, 29 applicants each received $1,500 toward the purchase of an electric/gasoline hybrid vehicle. They are:

Allegheny County -- Kathleen N. Depuy and Barry Schaitkin; Berks County -- Nan Kathleen Sharp; Bucks County -- Henry Hansen, Jack MacCarone and Jeffrey E. Toner; Chester County -- Glen Greenawald and Richard Hebert; Dauphin County -- Jane K. Webster; Delaware County -- John G. Halley; Lancaster County -- Timothy D. Blank; Lehigh County -- Carl and Doris Branson and Henry L. Schmidt III; Lycoming County -- Karl K. Baldys; Montgomery County -- Marian W. Archibald, William Reckard, George R. Ritter, Francie L. Rubin and Christine R. Syre; Northampton County -- Joseph W. Judge; Perry County -- Kerry Campbell; Philadelphia County -- Sharon L. Haynie, Leonard Rieser and Adam Zeff; and York County -- George A. Barnett, Michael Hargreaves and Peter R. Mumma.

Secretary Hess noted the department is continuing to offer the $1,500 hybrid-electric vehicle grants.

Alternative fuels include compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquid propane gas (LPG), ethanol (E85), methanol (M85), hydrogen, hythane, electricity, coal-derived liquid fuels and fuels derived from biological materials.

Studies have shown that alternative fuels emit no particulate matter, less carbon monoxide and fewer pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone than conventional gasoline and diesel fuel. A third of Pennsylvania's ozone pollution comes from gasoline-powered vehicles and refueling operations.

Ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, forms in warm weather when pollution from factories, power plants, household activities and vehicles "bakes" in the sun, making it hard for some people to breathe.

Grant applications can be requested by contacting Virginia Harris at DEP, P.O. Box 8468, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468; by e-mailing vharris@state.pa.us; by calling (717) 772-3429; or by faxing (717) 772-2303, Attn: AFIG. Applications must be received by DEP by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1. Project costs cannot be incurred before the submittal of an application during the open opportunity.

Please specify the project type when requesting an application package. The application package also may be obtained through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "alternative fuels."