Dauphin, Lancaster counties receive AFIG grants to aid businesses, environment

Listen to this article

• $3.47 million awarded by PA DEP through AFIG grants

• 94 clean fuel vehicles and 7 new stations funded statewide

• Projects in Dauphin, Lancaster, and 15 other counties

To support business, clean transportation, fund alternative fuel vehicles, new infrastructure, and improve air quality, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded more than $3.47 million through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant program. 

Grants are designed to aid businesses, school districts, local governments, and nonprofit organizations in 17 counties. In Central Pennsylvania, Dauphin and Lancaster counties are among the recipients. 

“We are committed to increasing sustainable and renewable energy and these grants will help local governments, businesses, school districts, and nonprofit organizations invest in alternative fuel solutions that are reliable, efficient, and often cheaper to operate,” DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said in a statement. “AFIG aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for many Pennsylvania communities with the use of electric school buses, Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) trucks, electric charging stations, and other clean transportation alternatives.” 

The grant awarded funding to 27 recipients. The selected projects will result in the deployment of 94 alternative fuel vehicles, including seven new fueling stations. Fifteen projects are also located in or serve Environmental Justice (EJ) areas. 

The 2024 second round AFIG projects in Central Pennsylvania include the following: 

In Dauphin County: Freight Equipment Leasing, LLC: $115,000 for the purchase of an electric box truck and an electric yard truck.  

In Lancaster County, Jerome H. Rhoads, Inc.: $45,098 for the purchase of two propane trucks.  This project is in both Lancaster and Berks counties. Also, City of Lancaster: $300,000 for the purchase and installation of 15 Level 2 and two Direct Current (DC) fast chargers for use by the city’s fleet. 

According to a release, the DEP AFIG program supports projects to replace older gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with cleaner fuel vehicles – like electric and natural gas – and install infrastructure to improve air quality in Pennsylvania. This program builds on Governor Shapiro’s agenda to create a climate and energy plan that will grow the commonwealth’s economy, protect and create jobs, and address climate change, per the release. 

In Pennsylvania, 47% of nitrogen oxide emissions come from gasoline and diesel vehicles, and transportation contributes up to 22% of Pennsylvania’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. The awards will save an estimated 1,262,825 gallons of gasoline per year. 

For this second-round of 2024 funding, AFIG priorities include zero emission vehicle projects; medium-duty and light-duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects; renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects; projects predominantly serving Environmental Justice areas; and minority, veteran, or woman-owned businesses. 

The AFIG Program is accepting grant applications until 11:59 PM on Oct. 10, 2025.