The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced this week that more than $25 million will be made available in grant funding through its pipeline and hazardous materials (hazmat) safety programs.

The money will be used for projects that will “train first responders, strengthen safety programs, improve safety, reduce environmental impacts, and educate the public on local safety initiatives.”

Such projects, PHMSA says, include those that “provide support to state inspectors for hazardous materials shipments and pipelines inspections, important safety training and educational programs for emergency response, and advance innovative safety technologies.”

According to the Administration, since 2001, PHMSA has awarded more than $206 million in grants to eligible recipients for projects, research, and development activities that work to enhance the safety of America’s energy pipeline network and hazmat transportation. For Fiscal Year 2024, PHMSA requested a $21.5 million increase for its State Pipeline Safety Grants to reimburse states for up to 80% of their inspection costs, an $18.5 million increase in funding for its emergency preparedness grants that train emergency responders and volunteers, and a $3 million increase in Community Safety Grant funding to better prepare underserved communities for the transportation of hazmat and crude oil through communities.

"Whether it's dealing with a pipeline rupture or a train derailment—training is essential to the safety of our first responders and the communities they serve," said PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown.