STATE COLLEGE — In a major stride toward modernizing regional operations and advancing Pennsylvania’s clean energy objectives, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, recently announced the awarding of $67,524 in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants to the Centre Region Council of Governments and Penn State University.

The Centre Region Council of Governments received two grants totaling $43,850–$15,000 to purchase two electric passenger vehicles for Centre Region Code Administration site visits, and $28,850 to install electric-vehicle charging stations for municipal fleet use. Meanwhile, Penn State secured $23,674 to add four electric passenger vehicles and one electric passenger van to its Housing and Food Services fleet.

“Despite many challenges, our region continues to take real steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,” Takac said. “By investing in electric vehicles and charging stations, the Centre Region Council of Governments and Penn State are leading by example–cutting emissions, saving taxpayer money and building Pennsylvania’s leadership in alternative-fuel technology. This is an effort that I am proud to have helped support since serving on College Township Council and as chair of the COG Public Safety Committee, when we first began the effort to invest in electric vehicles to benefit both local taxpayers and the environment.”

Established under Act 166 of 1992 and administered by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Programs Office, the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program supports projects that transition Pennsylvania’s transportation sector to advanced fuel and vehicle technologies. By improving air quality, cutting imported oil consumption and fueling clean energy job growth, AFIG remains a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s environmental and economic strategy.