If you represent a school district, a municipal authority, a non-profit organization or charity, a corporation or partnership — or virtually any entity incorporated or registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program can help you reduce your dependence on foreign oil and reduce transportation operating costs. Studies show that alternative fuels emit no particulates whatsoever, less carbon monoxide and fewer pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone. The AFIG Program was formulated to foster the use of alternative fuels by increasing the use of alternative fuel vehicles and develop a refueling infrastructure in the Commonwealth to improve the air quality.

Last year, DEP provided AFIG grants totaling $2,630,761 for the construction of alternative fuel refueling facilities, tank conversions for traditional gas guzzlers, the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and the development of innovative energy efficient technologies. Most of the funding (50 percent) directly assisted with the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles with the remainder underwriting the construction of an alternative refueling infrastructure.

Applicants may request a grant to cover a percentage of their costs to convert an existing gasoline vehicle that meets certain age and mileage restrictions to operate on alternative fuel. Recipients must use the grant money to fuel vehicles with compressed or liquefied natural gas, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, hythane, liquid petroleum or propane gas, electricity or fuels derived from biomass. If you are a fleet operator impacted by the Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, AFIG can help you to develop partnerships with alternative fuel providers and key local, state and federal government agencies.

Pennsylvania boasts one of the strongest environmental technology and service sectors in the world. Over 5,000 environmental firms in Pennsylvania generate more than $8 billion in annual revenue. The research and development wealth of our universities, coupled with our strong industrial base, guarantees continued technological advancements to address the environmental aspects of our economy. Verification of the performance of a technology is key to its acceptance in the marketplace.

The Environmental Technology Evaluation Center is a broad-based advisory council with guidance from State Environmental Agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Civil Engineering Research Foundation, private technology developers and venture capitalists. The center assists in developing technology verification projects. Secretary James M. Seif serves as a center board member, representing all of the states in addition to Pennsylvania's environmental technology needs.