PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities is working with three local municipalities – Peters, Upper St. Clair and North Strabane – to conduct a study into the feasibility of converting public fleet vehicles to alternative fuels, including natural gas and propane, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

The municipalities are all in the South Hills area. The study also includes Tri-Community South EMS. 

The study will be funded by a $25,000 Heinz Endowment grant and $1,000 from each municipality participating. The four-month project will also receive in-kind contributions from Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities and two local firms, Life Cycle Engineering Inc. of Baldwin and P.C. McKenzie of Upper St. Clair.

After the study concludes, townships that decide to shift their fleet vehicles to alternative fuels will see their $1,000 study contribution returned in the form of training scholarships for mechanics.

Study results will be distributed widely, Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities said. The goal is to determine and evaluate both the benefits and challenges of making such a transition.