Gov. Corbett and DEP grant USD 7.5 mln for NGV conversions

Pennsylvania’s  Department of Environmental Protection said that Governor Tom Corbett awarded $7.3 million in Act 13 funding to 18 companies, organizations and partnerships making the switch to natural gas for their heavy-duty fleet vehicles.

“Act 13 not only strengthened oversight of the drilling industry, it allows us to continue growing jobs while cleaning the air at the same time,” Corbett said.  “Natural gas, particularly from the shale formations here in Pennsylvania, is an abundant, affordable, domestic fuel that is putting this country on a path to energy independence.” 

The program distributed up to $20 million in grants over three years, to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles.

For this third round of the program, DEP received applications from 37 applicants requesting more than $10 million in grants.  The first two rounds awarded a total $14.4 million to 43 companies and organizations making the switch to natural gas.

Eligible vehicles for all three rounds of the Natural Gas Energy Development program included those fueled with compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas or bi-fuel vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or more.

Grant requests could not exceed 50 percent of the incremental purchase or retrofit cost per vehicle or a maximum total of $25,000 per vehicle.

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Press Release; Image: governor.pa.gov