Notice

The Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program

February 24th, 2023

DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Electrifying Trucks for Cleaner Air in Our Communities: The Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program; Application Deadline Extension

[53 Pa.B. 1115]
[Saturday, February 25, 2023]

 The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces the extension of the application solicitation closing date for the new Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle (MHD-ZEV) Fleet Pilot Grant Program (Program), which is a Driving PA Forward Initiative funding opportunity. The original application deadline of March 1, 2023, has been extended to 12 a.m. on March 31, 2023.
 The Department is seeking applications for transformational local freight and port drayage truck projects that will replace eligible diesel-powered, Class 4—8 trucks, with MHD-ZEVs. Public and private entities that operate eligible diesel-powered fleets throughout this Commonwealth are eligible to apply. These entities may include municipal authorities, political subdivisions, State agencies, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth, air quality or transportation organizations, metropolitan or rural planning organizations and tribal governments.
 Up to $13 million will be available for award under this Program. Applicants may request and receive reimbursement for up to the following: 75% of total project costs for nongovernment applicants; 90% for government applicants; and 100% for designated financially distressed municipalities under the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act (53 P.S. §§ 11701.101—11701.712). Eligible costs include the purchase of eligible MHD-ZEVs and purchase and installation of related electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Prospective applicants are required to participate in a virtual preapplication meeting with Department staff before they submit a funding application. Grant recipients will be required to collect and report 2 years of operational data on their new MHD-ZEV fleets to the Department, to support the development of case studies that are to be published for the benefit of fleet owners and operators considering zero emission vehicle transportation solutions.
 A preapplication meeting with the Department is required of all applicants as a prerequisite to apply for this funding opportunity. The Department will hold preapplication meetings through 4 p.m. on March 1, 2023. Prospective applicants who have not scheduled and participated in a preapplication meeting with the Department by March 1, 2023, will be ineligible to apply for funding under this Program.
 The Program guidelines, application instructions and an informational webinar are available on the Department's Driving PA Forward webpage at https://dep.pa.gov/DrivingPAForward. Applicants can contact the Department by e-mail at RA-EPVWMITIGATION@pa.gov or (717) 787-9495 to arrange the required preapplication meeting, submit questions or request clarification about the presentation or the Program documents.
 Applications must be submitted through the Department of Community and Economic Development's Electronic Single Application web site at https://www.esa.dced.state. pa.us/Login.aspx. The Department will review and score applications after the submission period end date on March 31, 2023.

RICHARD NEGRIN, 
Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 23-268. Filed for public inspection February 24, 2022, 9:00 a.m.]