The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $1.28 million in funding to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure, and some of that will fund projects right here in Allegheny County.
Cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure is a big deal, especially here in Pennsylvania, where 47 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions come from gasoline and diesel vehicles, and transportation contributes up to 22 percent of Pennsylvania's overall greenhouse gas emissions.
The DEP grant program provides funding to help school districts, municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania replace these older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with electric, renewable natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), ethanol, biodiesel, or propane gas fueled vehicles.
It also funds installation of fueling equipment for these vehicles. The funding program engages a diverse range of stakeholders in advancing sustainable transportation. This includes Environmental Justice Areas, which DEP defines as a geographic area characterized by increased pollution burden, and sensitive or vulnerable populations based on demographic and environmental data.
The 13 projects funded are estimated to save 95,555 gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) per year. Eight projects are located in or serve EJ Areas.
Here are the local projects funded by the DEP grant program. Congrats to awardees:
Churchill Borough: $15,000 for the purchase of two Class 1 EV passenger vehicles for use by the Borough’s police department.
Borough of Oakmont: $7,500 for the purchase of one Class 2 EV light duty truck for use by the Borough’s Parks Department maintenance staff.
West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Authority: $7,500 for the purchase of one Class 1 EV passenger vehicle.
Allentown Mack Sales & Service Inc: $98,807 for the installation of DC Fast chargers, as well as Level 2 chargers, at two locations, one in Allegheny County and another in Schuylkill County.