Technical Assistance Grants

Advancement of pipeline safety through the funding of local communities and organizations for technical assistance related to pipeline safety issues. Technical assistance is defined as engineering, research, and other scientific analysis of pipeline safety issues, including the promotion of public participation on technical pipeline safety issues.

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, counties, parishes, townships, and similar governmental subdivisions, or consortiums of such subdivisions; Indian Tribes; and groups of individuals (not including for-profit entities) with proposed projects relating to the safety of pipeline facilities in local communities, other than facilities regulated under Public Law 93-153 (43 U.S.C. � 1651 et seq.). States, universities, and for-profit entities are not eligible for the TAG program.

PHMSA developed evaluation criteria for project proposals to rate and select among competing applications. Each criterion is weighted equally and is intended to align with the challenges and strategies impacting pipeline safety. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of award. The evaluation criteria are as follows: (1) The extent to which the Applicant�s project scope establishes clear goals and objectives that focus on areas where a pipeline failure could pose a significant risk to people or to unusually sensitive environmental areas (see definition in 49 C.F.R 195.6); (2) The extent to which the Applicant�s project scope identifies specific pipeline safety concerns or risks that affected pipelines pose to the affected geographic areas to stakeholders and/or communities; (3) The extent to which the proposal demonstrates the Applicant�s experience with and commitment to foster open communication with affected operators and other key members of the community to ensure project success; (4) The extent to which the Applicant�s proposal aligns with the challenges and strategies in PHMSA�s Strategic Plan and seeks to improve performance and safety over time in areas such as engineering, damage prevention, land use, public education, emergency response, and community awareness; (5) The extent to which the Applicant�s project plan clearly establishes resources, milestones, and estimated project costs that align with project goals and objectives; (6) The extent to which...

Fiscal year 2016: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-113) did not appropriate funding for the TAG program. PHMSA will not solicit applications or issue TAG awards in FY 2016. Future funding for the TAG program is contingent upon reauthorization of the program and an enacted appropriation. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-113) did not appropriate funding for the TAG program. PHMSA did not solicit applications or issue TAG awards in FY 2016. Fiscal year 2017: Project awards will be similar in scope to projects awarded in the past. TAG awards have funded a broad range of activities, including: improvement of local pipeline emergency response capabilities; improvement of safe digging or damage prevention programs; development of pipeline safety information resources; implementation of local land use practices that enhance pipeline safety; community and pipeline awareness campaigns; and, enhancements in public participation in official proceedings pertaining to pipelines. Fiscal year 2018: TAG awards have funded a broad range of activities, including: improvement of local pipeline emergency response capabilities; improvement of safe digging or...