Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett awarded $7.3 million in funding to 18 companies, organizations and partnerships to make the switch from natural gas for their heavy-duty fleets.

The funding comes from Pennsylvania Act 13 of 2012, which authorized the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to develop and fund a three-year, $20 million grant to help pay for the purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleets.

Act 13 was aimed at implementing stronger environmental standards on the state’s efforts to gain energy independence through oil and gas development. It added oversight of the drilling industry as well as protections for private water supplies.

“Act 13 not only strengthened oversight of the drilling industry, it allows us to continue growing jobs while cleaning the air at the same time,” said Gov. Corbett.

This was the third round of the program and the DEP received applications from 37 applicants, requesting more than $10 million in grants. In the previous two rounds, the DEP had awarded a total of $14.4 million to 43 applicants.

Grant requests could not exceed 50% of the purchase or retrofit cost per vehicle and maxed out at $25,000 per vehicle.  Eligible vehicles included those fueled with CNG, LNG or bi-fuel vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or more.

“Natural gas, particularly from the shale formations here in Pennsylvania, is an abundant, affordable, domestic fuel that is putting this country on a path to energy independence,” said Gov. Corbett.

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