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 $12.5 million in grants for safety awareness, training, research, and other activities that will help communities avert or respond to hazardous materials-related transportation incidents.

“These grants will help communities to improve their pipeline and hazardous materials safety efforts,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

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.

• A combined $1.5 million through its Technical Assistance Grant program for projects that will foster open communication and address pipeline safety and environmental issues;

• $1 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;

• $1 million in Pipeline Safety One-Call grants;

• $1.5 million in Pipeline Safety State Damage Prevention grants;

• $2 million in Pipeline Safety Competitive Academic Agreement Program awards;

• $700,000 in Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Tribal grants;

• $3.8 million in Hazardous Materials Instructor Training grants; and

• $1 million in Hazardous Materials Supplemental Public-Sector Training grants.

“These grants support localized activities and provide communities with the resources they need to develop solutions to very serious safety issues,” said PHMSA Administrator Skip Elliott.  “All eligible entities are encouraged to apply in order to help safely move hazardous materials across the country.”

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 solicitation on Grants.gov.  Applicants can also contact the appropriate agency representative within the notice of funding opportunity announcement of interest. 

Details about prior grant projects can be found on PHMSA’s grants webpage.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 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 one 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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