Transportation Department issues nearly $2.5 million in grants to promote involvement in pipeline safety efforts
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently announced $2,488,497 in grants to foster involvement in local pipeline safety efforts.
State entities, local communities, and nonprofit organizations across 24 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico received the grants.
“The grants we’re issuing today are more than just about protecting pipelines or promoting awareness, it’s about saving lives,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said. “States and localities know best what their unique challenges are and these grants will help them develop specific solutions to meet their individual pipeline safety needs.”
Of the grants issues, $1,499,939 will go to State Damage Prevention (SDP) programs in 16 states and Puerto Rico, which address pipelines failures due to activates such as excavation. Excavation is a leading cause of pipeline-related fatalities and injuries. Since 2006, excavation damage has caused more than 33 human fatalities, 144 injuries, and over $249 million in property damage in the United States.
PHMSA also awarded a total of $988,558 in grants to provide technical assistance to 12 local community and nonprofit organizations in developing pipeline safety and education programs, such as improving emergency response capabilities, damage prevention, safety information resources, and public participation in official pipeline proceedings.
