NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Availability of Grants through the Driving PA Forward Initiative; Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program
[52 Pa.B. 7330]
[Saturday, November 26, 2022]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces an opportunity to apply for grants offered through the Driving PA Forward Initiative's Medium and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Fleet Pilot Grant Program (Program). This Program is expected to be transformational and incorporates information received in response to the Request for Information published at 52 Pa.B. 1323 (February 26, 2022). The awardees of this Program will drive reductions in diesel emissions from one or more medium or heavy-duty fleets, or both, operating in environmental justice (EJ) areas. The Department expects to make approximately $13 million available for award and there is no maximum cap set on the award for any individual grantee.
The proposed project must include replacement of either 20% of the applicant's fleet or at least five diesel-powered, onroad MHD trucks with ZEVs. Projects may not propose fewer than three vehicle replacements. Funding is available for the vehicles as well as associated infrastructure, including chargers.
Applications for fleets which operate primarily in EJ areas will receive additional consideration in the application scoring process. Awardees will be required to provide detailed data and information to the Department following vehicle purchases to support Department case studies evaluating the environmental benefits of the Program.
Awards under this Program will fund up to 75% of total project costs for nongovernment applicants, 90% for government applicants and 100% for designated financially distressed municipalities under the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act (53 P.S. §§ 11701.101—11701.712) for the purchase of eligible MHD ZEVs and installation of related electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Organizations are required to participate in a virtual preapplication meeting with Department staff before submitting a project application.
This funding is available for eligible diesel emission reduction projects that will improve air quality and protect public health and the environment by reducing emissions from diesel-powered vehicles and engines. The Department is seeking applications for projects that will replace eligible diesel-powered Class 4—8 trucks with zero-emission trucks. The majority of the fleet's annual operation time must occur within this Commonwealth. Public and private entities that operate eligible diesel-powered fleets throughout this Commonwealth should apply. These entities may include municipal authorities, political sub-divisions, State agencies, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth, air quality or transportation organizations, and metropolitan or rural planning organizations.
The Department will not reimburse grant recipients for project costs incurred prior to the grant performance period set forth in the applicable grant agreement.
The Program guidelines and application instructions are available on the Department's Driving PA Forward webpage at https://dep.pa.gov/DrivingPAForward or by contacting the Department at ra-epvwmitigation@pa.gov or (717) 787-9495.
A recorded presentation providing an overview of the Program and application process will be available on the Department's Driving PA Forward web site during the application period. Applicants can contact the Department at ra-epvwmitigation@pa.gov or (717) 787-9495 with questions or to request clarification about the presentation or Program documents.
Preapplication meetings are required and can be requested by contacting the Department at ra-epvwmitigation@pa.gov or (717) 787-9495.
Applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's Electronic Single Application web site, eGrants at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/Login.aspx. The application period is now open. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2023, at which time the Department will review and score applications.
RAMEZ ZIADEH, P.E.,
Acting Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 22-1833. Filed for public inspection November 23, 2022, 9:00 a.m.]
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