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Feb 14 - PRNewswire
Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the investment of $3.7 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants to help reduce Pennsylvania's dependence on imported oil, improve environmental quality and foster economic development by encouraging the deployment of innovative energy technologies. "These strategic investments will help us realize greater independence from imported oil, enhance our energy security at home and stabilize prices for clean fuels while we continue to build a dynamic new commercial sector that diversifies our energy supplies and puts people to work in Pennsylvania," Governor Rendell said. Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty announced the $3.7 million investment of AFIG funds during a tour of the York County Transportation Authority, which received $381,600 to cover the estimated incremental cost difference between a gallon of conventional diesel and a gallon of 20 percent blended biodiesel, commonly called B20. The funding will enable the authority to operate its entire diesel fleet of 20 buses and 33 vans on B20. In addition, the City of York Public Works received $17,035 in AFIG funds to power its fleet of 40 vehicles with B20. City and authority vehicles refuel from the same tank, which is supplied with B20 by United Biofuels of York. No mechanical changes are needed for the vehicle fleets to operate on the cleaner-burning fuel, which also reduces wear and tear on the engine and helps to cut down on maintenance expenses. Biodiesel also has a higher energy value per gallon than petroleum diesel, providing greater pickup for vans and buses. "York County Transportation Authority's purchase reaches up the economic ladder to the suppliers of biofuel and ultimately to the farmers whose crops were used to produce this clean fuel," McGinty said. "These investments create jobs for Pennsylvanians at the same time they reduce the emissions of soot and pollutants that form smog. Clean fuels produced in Pennsylvania will help us all breathe easier." Studies show that alternative fuels are cleaner than conventional fuels, emitting little to no particulate matter, less carbon monoxide and fewer pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone, or smog. In fact, at full fleet turnover, the two York projects will result in measurable reductions in sulfur and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 526.3 tons each year. Alternative fuels include compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquid propane gas, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, coal-derived liquid fuels and fuels derived from biological materials. The use of these fuels offers an alternative to conventional transportation fuels that come primarily from petroleum imported from foreign countries, making AFIG even more significant as increasing energy prices impact consumers, businesses and local governments. Governor Rendell recently signed into law (Act 178 of 2004) an expansion of the state's Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program, enabling DEP to fund projects at higher percentages of the total cost. The new law also allows DEP to offer a rebate instead of a grant to commonwealth residents who purchase hybrid electric and alternative fuel vehicles. Hybrid vehicle purchasers can now apply throughout the year and will be eligible for the rebate as long as funding is available and DEP receives the required information within six months of the purchase. Grants also are available to fund the construction of alternative refueling stations and advanced technology vehicle research and development. Act 178 of 2004 expanded AFIG to help school districts, transit authorities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations buy down the added cost to use biodiesel fuel. Since its inception in 1992, DEP has awarded $28.7 million for 984 projects in 50 counties. DEP has also awarded $1.2 million since March 2005 to individuals who purchased hybrid electric vehicles. AFIG funds have leveraged more than $78 million from public and private fleet operators, fuel providers and the federal government. For more information on AFIG grants, visit DEP's Web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/, Keyword: "Alternative Fuels." The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/. EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a list by county of the recipients of the $3.67 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants. BUTLER Seneca Landfill Inc. -- $2 million to promote use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced from landfill methane gas. Seneca will construct a liquefaction facility to produce 6,000 gallons of LNG per day, and a LNG refueling facility. Seneca will convert 10 waste-hauling vehicles to LNG engines and purchase five new LNG trucks. CENTRE Penn State University/PTI -- $550,556 to continue a demonstration of hydrogen and compressed natural gas blends in Centre Area Transit buses and Penn State vans. Penn State University/PTI -- $119,277 to design and build a vehicle to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition. CHESTER West Chester University -- $61,019 to purchase six bi-fuel pickup trucks that operate on compressed natural gas or conventional fuels, and installation of refueling equipment. ERIE Renewergy Cooperative Corp. -- $105,925 to produce biodiesel from oil extracted from algae that is also part of the effluent treatment process at the Erie Wastewater Treatment Plant. The grant funds installation of a bioreactor to grow the algae. NORTHAMPTION Jennings Transportation -- $112,000 to participate in a buyer's consortium for the commercial development of a plug-in electric/biodiesel hybrid school bus. Nazareth Area School District will participate in the demonstration of the bus. PHILADELPHIA Walt Whitman Truck Stop -- $137,864 to purchase and install electrified idle-reduction systems so truckers can power heating and cooling units and small appliances without running their engines. Temple University -- $4,500 to purchase and install compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling equipment for the university's six dedicated CNG vehicles. WESTMORELAND Pittsburgh Electric Engines Inc. -- $100,000 to develop a solid oxide fuel cell for use in a turbo fuel cell engine targeted for the heavy-duty truck market. MULTIPLE COUNTIES Schwan's Home Services, Inc. -- $37,138 to convert 11 heavy-duty delivery trucks from gasoline to dedicated liquid propane use. BIODIESEL INCREMENTAL BUYDOWN FUNDING These grant amounts represent an estimated incremental cost difference between a gallon of conventional diesel and a gallon of biodiesel blended at 20 percent biodiesel (B20). Final grant amounts will be reimbursements of actual prices paid for B20 at the time of delivery.
* Great Valley School District, Charleston, Chester County -- $28,340 to operate fleet of 59 school buses on B20 for a period of 1 year. * York County Transportation Authority, York, York County -- $381,600 to phase in entire fleet of 20 buses and 33 vans. * City of York, York County -- $17,035 to phase in 40 city-owned vehicles over period of 16 months. * West Shore Emergency Medical Services, Camp Hill, Cumberland County -- $9,288 to operate 25 emergency vehicles over a period of 16 months. HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE PURCHASES These grants assisted schools, municipal governments and authorities, businesses and nonprofit entities purchase hybrid passenger fleet vehicles, at $500 per vehicle.
* Allegheny County Sanitary Authority -- $1,000 for two vehicles. * Falls Township, Bucks County -- $500. * Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority, West Burlington, Bradford County -- $500. * Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Harrisburg, Dauphin County -- $500. * Sisters of Mercy, Erie, Erie County -- $500. * City of Lancaster, Lancaster County - $1,000 for two vehicles. * Monroe County Conservation District, Monroe County -- $500. * Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County - $2,500 for five vehicles. * Drexel University, Philadelphia -- $1,000 for two vehicles. CONTACT: Kate Philips Pennsylvania Office of the Governor 717-783-1116 Charlie Young, DEP 717-787-1323 Pennsylvania Office of the Governor CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116; Charlie Young, DEP, +1-717-787-1323 Web site: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/ |