Notice
Availability of Rebates through the Driving PA Forward Initiative: Onroad Rebate Program
November 27th, 2023DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Availability of Rebates through the Driving PA Forward Initiative: Onroad Rebate Program
[53 Pa.B. 7338]
[Saturday, November 25, 2023]
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Bureau of Air Quality announces the final funding opportunity under the Onroad Rebate Program (Program), which has $6.0 million available to award. This funding is available for on-road diesel vehicle replacement and repower projects that will improve air quality and protect public health and the environment by reducing emissions from old outdated diesel vehicles in this Commonwealth.
The Department is seeking applications for projects that will replace or repower eligible diesel-powered Class 4—8 local freight and drayage trucks, school buses, shuttle buses or transit buses. The new vehicles or engines may be powered by clean diesel, electric, natural gas, propane or other alternative fuels. Eligible applicants include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, other state agencies, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth, air quality or transportation organizations, and metropolitan or rural planning organizations. Sole proprietors are also eligible to apply.
Due to delays with the opening of this Program, qualifying vehicle and equipment purchases and installations may be made starting September 1, 2023. The Department will not reimburse rebate recipients for project costs incurred outside of the established project period, starting on September 1, 2023, and running through the expiration date of issued vouchers. Regardless of purchase date, all vehicles for which funding is being requested are subject to the eligibility requirements and funding restrictions of this Program. The Program guidelines and application instructions are available on the Department's Driving PA Forward webpage at www.dep.pa.gov/DrivingPAForward or by contacting the Bureau of Air Quality by e-mail at ra-vwmitigation@ pa.gov or by telephone at (717) 787-9495.
A recorded presentation providing an overview of the Program will be available on the Department's Driving PA Forward webpage during the application period. Applicants should use the previously listed contact information to 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, eGrants at https://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/Login.aspx. The application period for this round of funding will open on November 24, 2023. The Department will close the application period following the issue of $5.0 million in vouchers and after the waitlist is populated with another $1.0 million in applications or by February 2, 2024, whichever occurs first. The Department will accept, review and approve completed applications for rebates on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Department created a waitlist for this final round of Onroad Rebate Funding, if more funding becomes available, from unredeemed, expired vouchers. For any rebate vouchers that expire before they are redeemed, the associated funds are returned to the Program and made available for additional awards. Applications received after Program funds are exhausted, will be placed on a waitlist for up to 375 days, 1 year plus 10 days. Waitlisted applicants will be notified by the Department if their application is selected for funding.
