DEP Outreach Promoting Natural Gas Fleets
DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said the seminar series will inform local governments and businesses "about how they can take advantage of an abundant, clean-burning, and inexpensive fuel found right here in Pennsylvania" and "will help us develop our grant program moving forward."
Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection is beginning a series of seminars Sept. 21, with the first one from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. that day at the Community College of Allegheny County, to help municipal and commercial fleet owners make informed decisions about converting their fleets to compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas. The agency's announcement said vendors interested in setting up an exhibit at the seminars may sign up through DEP's website.
"In addition to informing local governments and businesses about how they can take advantage of an abundant, clean-burning, and inexpensive fuel found right here in Pennsylvania, the feedback from these seminars will help us develop our grant program moving forward," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "Revenue from the impact fees assessed on unconventional wells will be used to promote these sorts of fleet conversions."
According to the agency's release, a 2012 law authorized DEP to develop and implement a Natural Gas Energy Development program to provide as much as $20 million in grants during the next three years to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles.
Additional half-day seminars will take place:
- Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Erie County
- Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Lycoming County
- Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Radisson Hotel in Valley Forge, Montgomery County
- Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Lackawanna County Center for Public Safety in Jessup
- Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Towanda Fire Hall in Bradford County
To register for any of the events as an attendee or vendor, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on the Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program button.