Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program Opportunity [46 Pa.B. 942]
[Saturday, February 20, 2016]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Office of Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance announces an opportunity to apply for grants under the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program to improve air quality in this Commonwealth and reduce consumption of imported oil through the use of homegrown alternative fuels that will help the economy and environment in this Commonwealth. The Department is seeking applications for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects resulting in cleaner advanced alternative transportation within this Commonwealth.
Approximately $7 million in grants will be available for school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth to support:
• 50% of incremental cost expenses relative to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels as a bi-fuel, dual-fuel, hybrid or dedicated vehicle.
• 50% of incremental cost expenses to purchase bi-fuel, dual-fuel, hybrid or dedicated vehicles.
• The cost to purchase and install the necessary fleet refueling or home-refueling equipment for bi-fuel, dual-fuel, hybrid or dedicated vehicles.
• The cost to perform research, training, development and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles.
• Reimbursement incentives for school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions and nonprofit entities who purchase and use biofuel blends including E85 and biodiesel blends of 5% biofuel content and higher.
New this year, the AFIG program will remain open to receive proposals throughout the 2016 calendar year. Instead of one deadline for acceptance of applications for the year, AFIG now has multiple submission periods approximately 4 months in length, during which prospective applicants may submit applications for consideration. AFIG will accept applications at any time during the year and evaluate the applications received after each 4-month submission period and determine awards. Applications received during a submission period which do not receive an award will be able to resubmit the project application immediately for consideration during the next submission period in accordance with AFIG rules.
AFIG guidelines and application instructions are available on the Department web site at http://www.dep.pa.gov (select ''Citizens,'' then ''Grants, Loans and Rebates,'' then ''Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant''). Applications will be accepted online through the eGrants system. Visit www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eGrants/index.aspx (select ''Find a Grant Program,'' scroll down to ''AFIG'' and select ''Apply for this grant'').
The application period will open on February 20, 2016, and remain open throughout 2016. The Department will collect and review applications received by 4 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016; 4 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2016; and 4 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2016. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.
JOHN QUIGLEY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-287. Filed for public inspection February 19, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
