On April 18, 2024, the United States Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) awarded us with a $5.2 million Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant.
The grant funds will contribute to the replacement of approximately 314 individual bare steel service lines, many of which are in older neighborhoods. Construction may begin later this year.
“This first-of-its-kind infrastructure grant program helps modernize older, higher risk, leaky pipes--improving safety, reducing environmental impacts, and saving consumers money on their energy bills” said PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown. “These new investments from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also help create hundreds of good-paying pipeline jobs.”
Bare steel service lines can be at higher risk for leaks and failure. There are approximately 8,000 bare steel service lines that remain on our natural gas distribution system.
“These grant dollars will provide a huge boost to the long-term safety and reliability of our natural gas system,” said Travas Deal, Springs Utilities Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, it reduces rate impacts on our customers, helps our economy and protects the environment by reducing the risk for leaks and methane emissions.”
The grant investment is part of our larger commitment to maintain and upgrade its overall natural gas distribution system. The ongoing Distribution Integrity Management Program is a $9 million annual investment to assess, upgrade and protect the more than 2,600 miles of pipe that deliver natural gas to homes and businesses.
We are among 65 communities and organizations to receive grant funds via the NGDISM program.