Gov. Tom Corbett and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced this week that Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program will open Saturday, March 1, providing an estimated $8 million in grants for the purchase or conversion of alternative fuel vehicles.

“We are pleased to bring back this program, which provided more than $5 million to companies, organizations and innovators for alternative fuel projects last year,” Corbett said. “This additional funding will further our goals of improving Pennsylvania’s air quality while reducing the consumption of imported oil through the use of alternative fuels.”

Those eligible to apply include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, incorporated nonprofit entities, corporations and limited liability companies, or partnerships registered to do business in Pennsylvania, according to a DEP news release.

“I am proud to announce the $8 million in grants for this important program because of what it does for Pennsylvania,” DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. “This program fosters both environmental improvement and economic development in Pennsylvania by encouraging the use of innovative, alternative energy technologies.”

Grant funds are available for the conversion or purchase of natural gas vehicles weighing 26,000 pounds or less, as well as the conversion or purchase of electric, propane or other alternative fuel vehicles of any size, the release said.

Applicants interested in purchasing or converting only one or two alternative fuel vehicles are encouraged to partner with other eligible applicants to aggregate vehicles into a single application, which will satisfy the grant’s five-vehicle minimum. Grant applications will also be accepted for innovation technology projects that include research, training, development and demonstration of new applications or next phase technology related to alternative transportation fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, the release said.

Applications are due May 30 by 4 p.m., and grants will be awarded in the fall. Potential applicants are encouraged to participate in a webinar on Tuesday, March 11 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., according to the release. To register for the webinar, complete the online grant application, or learn more about the AFIG grant program, visit www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: AFIG.