Governor Rendell Says Latest Investments in Alternative Fuels Make PA More Energy Independent, Spur Innovation

Announces Nearly $8 Million for 21 Projects Promoting Biofuels, Natural Gas- and Electric-Powered Vehicles

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said today that Pennsylvania is cutting its appetite for foreign oil by more than a half-million gallons as it invests in 21 alternative fuel projects that will also create 221 jobs and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 14.5 million pounds.  

The Governor said the $7.9 million he announced today through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant Program will spur innovation in Pennsylvania's advanced energy economy, while also making it easier for consumers and businesses to use home-grown biofuels and rapidly expanding technologies such as hybrid and electric plug-in vehicles, as well as those powered by natural gas.

Governor Rendell explained that this latest round of investments—which are being matched by another $22.1 million in private funds for a total economic impact of $30 million—further strengthens Pennsylvania's reputation as a leading state for clean energy innovation and use.

"Two weeks ago, the Natural Resources Defense Council named Pennsylvania as the 7th least vulnerable state in the nation to oil price spikes because of our work to build a green economy here," said the Governor. "In doing so, it noted 'America's addiction to oil continues to threaten not only our national security and global environmental health, but also our economic viability.'

"That's a very accurate assessment and it's what we've been saying for the past eight years, which is why we've worked so hard to create a green energy economy here. That work has paid off and today, we have thousands of companies who are employing tens of thousands of workers in green collar jobs. These projects will build upon that work and will transform the way we power our vehicles."

In making the announcement today, the Governor was joined by representatives of three alternative fuel incentive grant recipients that, he said, represent the innovative work the state's investment is supporting.

• Chester County-based Momentum Dynamics will receive a nearly $587,000 grant to develop a technology in Berks County that will recharge EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles wirelessly. The project is expected to create 18 jobs and cut CO2 emissions by 297,000 pounds annually.
• International Battery Inc., based in the Lehigh Valley will use a $235,000 grant to demonstrate the long-term performance and manufacturing viability of an advanced lithium battery pack suitable for hybrid electric and electric buses and commercial trucks. The company's green manufacturing process, which is solvent-free and free of volatile organic compounds, will create 2 jobs.
• The city of Philadelphia's Mayor's Office of Sustainability will receive $140,000 for its $500,000 project that will add 10 charging stations and 18 electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids to existing, successful local car sharing operations, exposing more people to the benefits of these technologies. The project is expected to create 12 jobs and cut CO2 emissions by 61,000 pounds per year.

"These are exciting projects because they pave the way for consumers to adopt new environmentally friendly and money-saving technologies," said Governor Rendell. "As more auto manufacturers introduce electric vehicles, these should be viewed as legitimate technologies."

The Governor added that GE—a Fortune 100 company—announced recently that it intends to buy 25,000 electric vehicles by 2015, essentially replacing most of its 30,000 conventional-fuel vehicle fleet. The company expects switching to EVs will save it $500 million in just the next three years.

The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program helps to create new markets for biofuels and encourage innovation in developing and manufacturing other advanced fuel transportation solutions in Pennsylvania to reduce the state's dependence on foreign oil.

The commonwealth has invested about $39 million in 114 projects through the program since 2004. These investments have leveraged an additional $216 million in investments from other sources.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Alternative Fuels.

Media contact: Michael Smith, 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: The 17 other projects receiving funding through the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program are listed below, by county. For more information, call the media contact listed above.

Allegheny

Giant Eagle Inc. - $750,000 to purchase 29 compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric/plug-in vehicles, and to install 10 public electric vehicle charging stations—the first of their kind in Pennsylvania.

Waste Management of Pennsylvania Inc. – $700,000 – to build a CNG fueling station at its hauling facility in Washington, PA, which will also be available to other fleet operators. The company intends to use natural gas in its fleet of trash and recycle trucks.

Bradford

Endless Mountains Transit Authority – $750,000 – to convert five public transit buses to CNG that will be fueled at a public fueling station built by Dandy Mini Marts in either Towanda or Sayre.

Bucks

451 Tyburn LLC – $837,400 – to build a publicly accessible CNG station in Fairless Hills and deploy heavy-duty CNG shuttle buses for public transit service in region.

Chester

West Chester University of Pennsylvania - $6,000 - to cover the incremental cost of purchasing B20 biodiesel to power vehicles on campus.

Cumberland

Cumberland County Commissioners - $15,360 – to purchase 96,000 gallons of blended biodiesel.

YRC, Inc. - $250,000 - to install a biodiesel blending system at its Carlisle Truck Freight Terminal.

Monroe

East Stroudsburg Area School District - $10,540 – to convert two existing, 20,000-gallon tanks for biofuel storage and purchase B5 biodiesel.

Montgomery

Bryn Mawr College - $88,682 - to increase its existing CNG storage capacity, and purchase one CNG transport bus and two Ford Transit Connect CNG vans.

Lower Merion School District - $121,641 – to purchase and use nine CNG school buses.

Self Heating & Cooling Inc. - $48,710 – to develop a public propane AutoGas station in Horsham Township and add two propane-powered vehicles to the company's fleet.

Philadelphia

Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania - $631,787 – to help 12 school districts purchase and use 1.8 million gallons of blended biodiesel and 280,000 gallons of B100.

Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania - $425,860 – to help five municipalities and school districts in southeastern Pennsylvania continue fueling 500 vehicles with biodiesel.

Philadelphia City Treasurer, Office of Fleet Management - $205,416 – to offset the cost of purchasing more than 1 million gallons of B5 biodiesel for use in the city's fleet.

PHL Taxi Management LLC - $900,000 – to purchase and deploy 50 new CNG taxis in Philadelphia that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to build a publicly accessible CNG fueling station in the city.

Venango

Venango Leasing Co. – $362,500 – to develop a CNG fueling station with convenient public access alongside an existing fuel station in Barkeyville and to purchase equipment that will enable its existing fleet to run on a mix of CNG and diesel.

Westmoreland

Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program - $486,066 - to convert heavy equipment construction fleets to accept locally produced biofuels and to demonstrate the performance, cost-effectiveness, maintenance, training and research necessary to prove the concept's viability.

Statewide

Dean Cerimeli/U-HAUL - $346,000 – to purchase and convert the engines of 20 vans to run on liquefied petroleum gas that will be deployed throughout the state.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor