PHMSA 02-20
Contact: Ben Kochman
Email: Benjamin.Kochman@dot.gov   

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today announced that it will accept applications for up to $17 million in grants for safety awareness, training, research, and other activities that will help communities avert or respond to hazardous materials-related transportation incidents. 

“Safety is the Department’s top priority, and these grants will help communities across America prepare for and reduce hazardous materials and pipeline transportation emergencies,” said Acting U.S. Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury.

Each year, PHMSA offers grants to state, tribal, non-profit, and community-based organizations through its safety programs for the nation’s pipeline network and hazardous materials transportation system.  Grant recipients use the funds to train first responders, educate the public on local safety initiatives, develop and commercialize new technologies, or participate in regulatory oversight activities.

Of the $17 million in total funding opportunities, PHMSA is offering up to:

• $1.8 million through its Technical Assistance Grant program for projects that will foster open communication and address pipeline safety and environmental issues;
• $1.25 million through its Community Safety Grant program for projects that can supply the best training and outreach activities to help local communities prepare for hazardous materials accidents and incidents involving the transportation of Class 3 flammable liquids;
• $2.93 million in Pipeline Safety One-Call and State Damage Prevention grants aimed at reducing damage to underground pipelines;
• $2 million in Pipeline Safety Competitive Academic Agreement Program awards for research and technologies that could improve pipeline transportation safety;
• $1 million in Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Tribal grants to increase their effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials transportation accidents and incidents; and
• $8.1 million in grants for Hazardous Materials Instructor Training, Supplemental Public-Sector Training, and Assistance for Local Emergency Responder Training and outreach programs that help emergency responders and local communities prepare for and respond to transportation emergencies involving hazardous materials.

“These grants will support localized activities and extend the reach of PHMSA and our partners within our communities,” said PHMSA Administrator Skip Elliott.  “They allow us to have a strong local presence that is vital to effectively monitor pipelines and help protect the public from hazardous materials incidents nationwide.”

The number of grant recipients receiving awards will depend on the grant program, as well as the quality and number of applications received, the dollar amounts requested, and funding availability.  Grant recipients are required to provide a report to PHMSA within one year chronicling completion of the work, as outlined in their grant agreement.  

To obtain full eligibility requirements and application instructions, please read each official notice of funding opportunity on Grants.gov.  Applicants can also contact the appropriate agency representative identified in the respective notice of funding opportunity.  

Details about prior grant awards and related projects can be found on PHMSA’s grant webpage.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation's 2.8-million-mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly 1.2 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air.  Please visit https://www.phmsa.dot.gov for more information.

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