NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program; Program Opportunity Notice
[52 Pa.B. 3722]
[Saturday, July 2, 2022]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Energy Programs Office announces an opportunity to apply for grants under the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program. AFIG is intended to help the Commonwealth reach its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, improve air quality and reduce consumption of imported oil through the use of homegrown alternative fuels that will help this Commonwealth's economy and environment. The Department is seeking applications for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects resulting in cleaner alternative transportation within this Commonwealth.
Approximately $3 million in grants is available for school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in the Commonwealth to support:
• Incremental cost expenses relative to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels.
• Incremental cost expenses to purchase new alternative fuel vehicles.
• The cost to purchase and install refueling equipment servicing alternative fuel vehicles.
• The cost to perform research, training, development and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles.
Priorities for AFIG 2022 funding include:
• Businesses whose headquarters or principal place of business are located in this Commonwealth.
• Zero emission vehicle projects.
• Medium-Duty and Light-Duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects.
• Renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects.
• Projects located in or predominantly serving environmental justice areas. (https://www.dep.pa.gov/Public Participation/OfficeofEnvironmentalJustice/Pages/PA-Environmental-Justice-Areas.aspx).
• Applicants that are minority, veteran or woman-owned businesses.
The Department will endeavor to award a minimum 20% of available AFIG funding for the program year to the following entities, dependent upon applications received:
• Counties, townships, municipalities or municipal authorities.
• Public school districts including brick and mortar charter schools.
• Organizations registered as a 501(c)(3) that provide services to seniors, low income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans or medical services of any type.
• Businesses either registered with the Commonwealth as a Small Diverse Business or who are registered with one of the Department of General Services accepted approved third-party certifications as identified on the web site at https://www.dgs.pa.gov/Small%20Diverse%20 Business%20Program/Small-Diverse-Business-Verification/Pages/default.aspx.
• Organizations who are county/local government supported or contracted to provide services to seniors, low income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans or medical services of any type.
Changes to the program for 2022 for the Vehicle Retrofit and Purchase projects category are:
• For vehicle projects, applicants who have previously converted a portion of their existing Commonwealth fleet to alternative fuels may request the following maximum grant award per vehicle:
◦ 1—25% of current existing fleet converted to alternative fuels may request up to 75% of the maximum award per vehicle.
◦ 26—50% of current existing fleet converted to alternative fuels may request up to 50% of the maximum award per vehicle.
◦ 51—75% of current existing fleet converted to alternative fuels may request up to 25% of the maximum award per vehicle.
◦ 75% or greater of current or existing fleet converted to alternative fuels may request up to 10% of the maximum award per vehicle.
For the purposes of this solicitation, an existing Commonwealth fleet is defined as the total number of class 1 and 2 or class 3+ vehicles at all of the applicant's primary and subsidiary locations within this Commonwealth.
Changes to the program for 2022 for the Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure projects category are:
• The 2022 round will focus on projects that service medium-duty fleets of class 3—6 vehicles and light-duty fleets of class 1 and 2 vehicles. Funding for other types of refueling infrastructure projects may be available through the Driving PA Forward DC Fast Charger grant and Level 2 Rebate programs and through Department programs funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program and other Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.
• If a project is eligible for the Level 2 Rebate Program under Driving PA Forward, it must apply for that program. If a project that is eligible for the Level 2 Rebate Program is submitted to the AFIG program, it will not be considered for funding.
• If a project is located within 1 roadway mile of a Federal Highway Administration Designated Alternative Fuel Corridor, it will not be considered for AFIG.
The program guidelines and application instructions are available on the AFIG web site at http://www.dep.pa.gov/AFIG. Applications will be accepted online through the Commonwealth's eGrants system. Visit http://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/ to submit an application.
The Department will collect and review applications received by 4 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2022, and by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.
PATRICK McDONNELL,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 22-978. Filed for public inspection July 1, 2022, 9:00 a.m.]
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