The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently opened the application period for the new Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant program.
The program will offer nearly $200 million in grants annually over the next five years to improve the safety of natural gas distribution infrastructure.
All municipal or community-owned utilities can seek assistance to repair, rehabilitate, or replace high-risk, leak-prone natural gas distribution infrastructure. For-profit groups are excluded.
Funds also can be used to purchase equipment that will help reduce natural gas distribution pipeline incidents and fatalities.
PHMSA will examine applications for various criteria, including the quality and number of applications received, the dollar amounts requested, economic benefits, and safety. This includes projects that involve the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of legacy cast iron, bare steel, and plastic gas distribution pipelines.
An emphasis will be placed on underserved communities.
“These grants will help communities upgrade piping that in some cases is older than any American alive today,” Tristan Brown, PHMSA deputy administrator, said. “All eligible entities are encouraged to apply, with a focus on projects that will have the greatest benefits for the communities that need the most support.”
Thousands of miles of cast iron pipes remain in the United States.