Two Butler County transportation service companies and a North Hills community refuse service have been given state grants to help them switch to compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, or propane from gasoline.

More than $3 million in state Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants were awarded to 33 companies, counties and organizations across the state making the switch to alternative fuels, according to a state Department of Environmental Protection news release.

Butler Air Star Transportation was awarded $11,500 for the conversion of 35 vehicles to propane bi-fuel. Five of the vehicles are propane ADA-compliant wheelchair lift vans.

Cranberry Taxi was awarded $156,250 to retrofit 25 new dedicated CNG vehicles to expand its paratransit services.

In Allegheny County, the McCandless Township Sanitary Authority was awarded $21,374 for the conversion of five vehicles to operate on propane bi-fuel as demonstrative program to determine if propane can be a viable alternative to gasoline for municipal fleets.

All the DEP state grants will help pay for the conversion or purchase of 351 natural gas vehicles and 337 propane vehicles. An estimated 15 new fueling stations and 30 existing stations will be supported by these vehicles.