The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has awarded Pennsylvania $2.19 million for pipeline safety.
The funds will be used to inspect and enforce pipeline safety regulations, conduct incident investigations and take corrective actions to assure the safety of pipelines.
“Pipeline safety is essential not only for the oil industry in Pennsylvania, but the entire country,” U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said in a press release. “This money will protect the health of Pennsylvanians and ensure that safety standards for pipelines and pipeline facilities are enforced.”
The grants provide up to 80 percent of operating costs for state pipeline regulators who agree to inspect intrastate pipelines on PHMSA’s behalf. Participating states and territories account for 330 inspectors who are responsible for more than 80 percent of the nation’s intrastate natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline mileage.
Funds are awarded through the 2015 State Base Pipeline Safety Grant Program, which supports state pipeline safety programs by reimbursing to them a portion of each state’s total program expenses for a given calendar year based on their performance. The grants are based on each state’s estimated program cost for 2015.
“These grants ensure state programs have the funding they need for resources, including personnel and equipment, to protect communities, carry out inspections and enforce pipeline safety regulations,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
The Pennsylvania grant was part of more than $54 million that was distributed nationwide.
