Governor Rendell Directs Early Release of Liquid Fuels Payments to Ease Burden of Winter Storm Cleanup Costs

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To aid local governments with mounting winter storm cleanup costs, Governor Edward G. Rendell today directed the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to release early $308 million in liquid fuels payments.

"Through a disaster emergency proclamation I issued Feb. 6, PennDOT is able to deliver needed liquid fuels payments a full month ahead of schedule to immediately assist local governments with the costs incurred this winter," Governor Rendell said.

PennDOT will issue liquid fuels payments starting March 1 to 2,556 local governments throughout the state. These payments normally begin after April 1 each year.

"This winter has placed significant demands on the resources of both PennDOT and its partners in local government. The early release of these funds will help local governments to pay some bills a little bit earlier," Governor Rendell said.

Liquid fuels allocations are annual payments issued to municipalities to help pay for transportation-related expenses, including snow removal and related materials costs.

The last time advance payment of liquid fuels funds was made was in 2003 when $257 million was released on March 14 as a result of a similar statewide snow emergency.

The funds are generated from a portion of the state gasoline tax and from Act 44.

Media contacts:

Rich Kirkpatrick, PennDOT; 717-783-8800

Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: The complete list of payments is available online at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24892_2999_368327_43/http%3B/pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_general_government_operations/pagov/media/latest_news/liquid_fuel_fundsdistribution_3_1_2010.pdf

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor