NPGA lands PHMSA grant as agency announces $128.2 million in safety funding

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) received a $100,000 grant from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to launch a 24-month national initiative focused on hazardous materials transportation safety awareness, emergency preparedness and community coordination.

The grant will fund community safety, hazmat information, education, leadership and development, or “Community SHIELD,” according to NPGA.

Through the project, NPGA says it will aim to reach about 3,000 participants. It also will make about $80,000 available to state and regional propane associations and other partners.

NPGA says Community SHIELD will help communities prepare for and respond to incidents with hazardous materials transportation, including Class 3 flammable liquids transported by rail.

The program will serve first responders, emergency managers, government representatives, transportation stakeholders and more. NPGA plans to give particular attention to rural and underserved areas.

Those interested in participating can contact Nicholas Edward, grants and agency engagement manager for NPGA, at nedward@npga.org.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s PHMSA is making a $128.2 million investment to protect U.S. communities by bolstering pipeline and hazmat transportation safety nationwide.

In total, 164 grants will be funded to:

• Develop hazmat emergency response training programs and conduct exercises to prepare fire departments for rail derailments and industrial spills.

• Acquire tactical drone technology to conduct aerial hazard mapping and thermal imaging along major pipeline corridors.

• Conduct on-site inspections of hazardous materials shippers to intercept packaging violations prior to transit.

• Equip state inspectors with tools to perform safety inspections and enforcement across natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, as well as underground natural gas storage facilities.

“The Trump administration is delivering critical dollars to our safety partners who are keeping American communities safe,” says PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti. “Equipping emergency crews with specialized training, leveraging advanced drone technology and boosting pipeline oversight fortifies the safety of our energy supply chain.”

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