Pipeline safety grant opportunities in your community

America's pipelines carry important materials that help fuel our economy, and we want to make sure those pipelines remain safe. 

That's why we implemented a Pipeline Safety Action Plan last year.  It's also why President Obama recently signed in a law a new pipeline safety bill. 

But you can get involved, too, helping ensure the pipelines that run through your community are safe. That's why our Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is so excited about its Technical Assistance Grants (TAG).

TAG grants offer local communities an important role in their own safety.  The TAG program enables communities to obtain funding to get smart on the pipelines in their area and get involved in the official proceedings that impact them. It's all part of the President’s commitment to an open and participatory government. 

Grants can be used to fund programs and technologies that improve safety, expand public awareness, and increase participation in local decision-making about pipelines.  That could include engineering studies, public education, technology solutions, and other safety initiatives.  And your community might be eligible. 

To view previous TAG program recipients, projects, and reports, visit primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag. You'll find examples like:

• Converting paper maps to electronic format
• Conducting a high pressure gas distribution main engineering and integrity study
• Educating property owners about pipelines
• Developing a GIS pipeline mapping system

Who is eligible?  Local governments, community groups and non-profits. PHMSA will award a total of $1 million in grants. Each grantee may receive up to $50,000.  The number of awards will depend on the quality and number of applications received this year and the dollar amounts requested.

PHMSA recommends reading the grant solicitation to understand eligibility requirements, how to apply, and who to contact for support. To view the solicitation, instructions, and apply for a TAG grant, visit grants.gov.

Do you have ideas about how to improve pipeline safety in your neighborhood?  We’re accepting applications now through March 9, 2012, so please visit primis.phmsa.dot.gov to learn more.

Comments

[Lladro@Swarovski Figurines]

I am completely lost on this pipeline controversay. Why does it take sooooo long or a pipeline to be approved?

Now I find out we have public contributor groups being paid to comment and submit reports. First is would take a public group a long time to acquire data, have meeting, then write a report. Then someone someplace has to have meetings and read all these various reports.

Tell me there is no politics in these reports. Our court system randomly chooses people to sit on juries. Perhaps on these types of subject we should bring a group of randomly selected people and allow the companies and their opponents two weeks of testimony before the public committees say yes or no. Then we would have at least the local public feedback. Much faster, cleaner, and more accurate.

We need to recognize that people with opinions rarely change their minds based on the other sides facts or perceived facts and explanations. We keep believing the more I yell at the top of my lungs that someone is really listenting.

When it comes to pipelines the yelling produces delays or inaction within the government. We put up obstacles to our energy program and wonder why after 40 years we still have no energy solution.

Lladro