The Rose Tree Media School District has received a $499,994 Natural Gas Vehicle Development Program grant to convert its school bus fleet to compressed natural gas (CNG). It will purchase eight new CNG buses and convert 14 buses, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s office.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administers the Natural Gas Vehicle Development Program. The school district was one of 18 companies and organizations selected for grants that came from a pot of $6.7 million this year. DEP received applications from 49 applicants requesting nearly $13 million in grants.
State Rep. Thomas Killion noted the fleet’s fuel needs will be supported by a new hybrid fueling station the RTM district will own and operate. The station will be added onto its existing transportation center on Barren Road in Media.
“I am pleased that Rose Tree Media School District is on the ground floor of this statewide movement to convert Pennsylvania to Compressed Natural Gas,” Killion said in a statement. “It makes both economic and environmental sense for buses and other fleet vehicles to run on natural gas. They are large users of fuel, and CNG is an abundant, cleaner-burning alternative to diesel and gasoline.”
The transportation grant initiative is part of Act 13 legislation signed last year that authorized impact fees for natural gas drilling in the Commonwealth. For three years, the state will distribute $20 million annually for the NGV grants, which will be used to convert bus fleets and build accompanying infrastructure.
“Act 13 was a leap forward in strengthening oversight of the drilling industry,” Corbett said. “The law was also a leap forward in helping to continue to grow jobs and clean the air at the same time as demand in the transportation sector develops.”
In the first round of grants, $5 million was reserved for local transportation organizations. Another $11 million will be available in August, with 50 percent slated for transportation organizations. The third and final grant round is scheduled to open in 2014. Eligible vehicles include those fueled with CNG, LNG (liquefied natural gas) or bi-fuel vehicles that weigh 14,000 pounds or more. Grant requests cannot exceed a maximum total of $25,000 per vehicle.
Last week Governor Corbett also announced a May 25 opening for the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant (AFIG) program. This program will provide approximately $10 million to help companies and organizations purchase or convert CNG, LNG or bi-fuel vehicles weighing less than 14,000 pounds, as well as electric, propane or other alternative fuel vehicles of any weight.
