Alternative Fuel Vehicle program opens

We're busy around here at OED, opening up another new program today -- the Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) program.  Please read the press release below and contact Patrick at 317-232-8939 for more info.

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Alternative Fuel Vehicle Grants Now Available for Indiana Commercial/Public Fleets
Grants Will Encourage Conversion to More Efficient/Alternative Fuel Work Vehicles

(Indianapolis) – Lt. Governor Becky Skillman has announced funds are being made available to the public and private sectors to help pay for conversion of fleet vehicles to alternative fuels.  The Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) grants will be available to government entities, businesses, school corporations, institutions of higher education, health care facilities and not-for-profit agencies in Indiana.

“These grants are meant to increase our energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and reduce fossil fuel emissions,” said Lt. Governor Skillman.  “In the process we can create new jobs, and increase productivity, which is all part of healthy economic development.”

Grants from $40,000 to $500,000 will be available for on-road fleet vehicles only.  The funds can be used to cover the cost differential between the cost of purchasing an alternative energy vehicle rather than a traditional fuel vehicle. It can also be used to defray the cost of retrofitting an existing vehicle.  Infrastructure costs are not eligible in this grant program.

The AFV program opens September 6, 2011 and applications will be accepted until September 30, 2011. Applicants are not required to match any award with local funds, but any leveraged funds will earn an applicant additional points in the competitive grant scoring process.  The program uses federal funds that are administered by the Indiana Office of Energy Development.

There are a number of criteria any proposed project must meet.  Among those criteria, the project must demonstrate measurable improvements in fuel efficiency, result in a reduction in fuel demand, and result in a reduction in fuel costs.  A “fleet” is defined as five or more company vehicles. The applicant must own the vehicles, and they must be used for business primarily in Indiana. A complete list of criteria is available in the program guidelines which are available on line at http://www.energy.in.gov/2644.htm.  The application process is also conducted online.

As part of the AFV grant process, applicants must work with at least one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities organizations in the state.  In Indiana, there are two, Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition and South Shore Clean Cities, Inc. in northwestern Indiana.