22 States Getting Pipeline Damage Prevention Grants
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration grants will increase public education about the high costs of excavation damage.
The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is providing pipeline damage prevention grants worth more than $1.5 million overall to 22 states.
Excavation damage is the leading cause of pipeline accidents resulting in deaths or injuries, and PHSMA reports it can cost states millions of dollars in repair work and property damages. Since 2002, excavation damage caused some $190 million in property damage nationwide, 38 deaths, and 148 injuries.
"Most major pipeline accidents are caused when someone is digging and hits a pipeline by mistake," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "With these grants, states will be able to educate the public about safe digging in order to help prevent pipeline accidents, saving lives and improving safety for everyone."
The grants are going to:
- Alabama Public Service Commission - $43,853
- Arkansas Public Service Commission - $16,379
- Utility Notification Center of Colorado - $88,150
- Connecticut: Call Before You Dig, Incorporated - $98,017
- Georgia Public Service Commission - $95,000
- Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission - $50,000
- Iowa Utilities Board - $95,000
- Kansas Corporation Commission - $90,000
- Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Enforcement Authority - $95,000
- Michigan Public Service Commission - $90,000
- Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety - $95,000
- Mississippi Public Utilities Commission - $100,000
- Nebraska Pipeline Safety Division - $82,171
- Nevada Public Utilities Commission - $62,625
- New Jersey Board of Public Utilities - $100,000
- New Mexico Pipeline Safety Bureau - $74,948
- DigSafely New York - $78,941.20
- North Carolina Utilities Commission - $6,831
- Ohio Utilities Protection Service - $49,953
- Pennsylvania: PA One Call - $56,250
- South Carolina Public Utilities Protection Service - $56,775
- Miss Utility of West Virginia - $50,000