HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania state Department of Environmental Protection on April 12 unveiled a Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate program to provide Pennsylvania residents $500 rebates to help with the incremental costs of purchasing hybrid vehicles or those powered by alternative fuel, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. To qualify for the $500 rebate, the vehicle must be registered in Pennsylvania and operated mainly within the state. The rebate will be offered on a first come, first-serve basis throughout the calendar year as long as funds are available. To claim the rebate, vehicle purchasers must submit a completed form no more than six months after the purchase to: Department of Environmental Protection, HEV-AFV Rebate Program, P.O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, Pa., 17105-8772. Those applying should enclose a copy of their state vehicle registration, a copy of the dealers invoice and proof of the vehicle purchase. For alternative-fuel vehicles only, the alternative-fuel components must be clearly identified. Interested persons can call Cleo Arp at DEP at (717) 772-8912 for a rebate form. It is also available at DEP's Web site, www.dep.state.pa.us.