Nearly $200 million in federal funding has been released for gas pipe repair and upgrades projects across the country.
The funding is coming through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which is a part of the Department of Transportation, and will repair, replace, or rehabilitate nearly 270 miles of gas pipelines.
In the process, the pipeline project is expected to reduce methane emissions by some 212 metric tons.
Many of the subject pipelines are old, having been installed decades ago. Reports of the pipelines’ leaking have become more common in the last several years.
“Investments in pipeline safety are investments in community safety and our shared environment,” said Tristan Brown, director of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in a statement, in a statement.
Continued Brown: “For too long, underserved communities have had to bear the brunt of aging and dangerous pipelines. This funding will finally give communities the resources they need to replace legacy pipelines—improving safety, protecting the environment, and creating jobs.”
Nearly 40 projects are being funded by grants through the program, with the first grant award of $10 million going to the City of Las Cruces for the repair of gas distribution pipelines.
Other recipients will be made known soon, with upwards of $392 million in additional grant awards expected to be announced later this year.
By Garry Boulard
