PHMSA awards US$ 940 000 to 21 local pipeline safety groups

The US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced that 21 local governments and pipeline safety groups will receive nearly US$ 940 000 in Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) to help communities and non-profit organisations develop customised pipeline safety and education programmes.

“Safety is our highest priority,” said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We’re committed to investing in local governments so they have the resources they need to develop pipeline safety programmes that base fit their specific communities.”

Technical Assistance Grants fund training for first responders, and safety equipment and data gathering initiatives. One example is the project in Alameda, California, to develop a pipeline mapping system that will provide data to emergency responders and land use planners.

“These grants allow local communities and organisations to identify their own specific needs and create a targeted response,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quaterman. “This community-based approach encourages public involvement in pipeline safety, an results in concrete safety improvements.”

2013 Technical Assistance Grant recipients

• Blue Green Alliance (Minnesota) – US$ 50 000
• City of Allentown (Pennsylvania) – US$ 43 850
• City of Fitchburg (Massachusetts) – US$ 50 000
• City of Hazard (Kentucky) – US$ 9926
• City of Hogansville (Georgia) – US$ 50 000
• City of Port Aransas (Texas) – US$ 50 000
• City of Richmond (Utah) – US$ 49 765
• City of West Liberty (Kentucky) – US$ 26 300
• Connection for Oil, Gas & Environment in the Northern Tier, Inc. (Pennsylvania) – US$ 50 000
• County of Alameda (California) – US$ 50 000
• County of Tazewell (Illinois) – US$ 50 000
• Danielle Dawn Smalley Foundation Inc. (Texas) – US$ 50 000
• League of Women Voters of PA Education (Pennsylvania) – US$49 500
• Oak Ridge Utility District (Tennessee) – US$ 41 000
• Palatka Gas Authority (Florida) – US$ 50 000
• Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission (Texas) – US$ 50 000
• Pipeline Safety Coalition (Pennsylvania) – US$ 48 718
• Pipeline Safety Trust (Washington) – US$ 50 000
• Powell County (Montana) – US$ 18 288
• Sevier County Utility District (Tennessee) – US$ 50 000
• West Pikeland Township (Pennsylvania) – US$ 50 000

Edited from various sources by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/28102013/phmsa_awards_us_940000_to_21_local_pipeline_safety_groups/