July 19, 2025. Millions of dollars are coming to several counties in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) through the Alternative Fuel Incentive grant (AFIG) program.
The AFIG program aims to replace gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with cleaner, more sustainable fuel such as electric and natural gas. It also supports projects that install infrastructure and add to the improvement of air quality.
According to a release, the collective $3.47 million funding will help communities buy alternative fuel vehicles to upgrade infrastructure, lower costs and enhance air quality.
Twenty-seven recipients were awarded grants from AFIG in 17 counties across the state of Pennsylvania.
In Mercer County, Tri-County Industries, Inc. will be awarded $120,000 to purchase six Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) waste vehicles.
RNG, also known as biomethane, is becoming increasingly popular as a cleaner alternative to diesel used in garbage trucks.
The release states that in Pennsylvania, 47% of nitrogen oxide emissions originate from gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles. In terms of the state’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, 22% comes solely from transportation.
The statewide grants will save about 1,262,825 gallons of gasoline per year.