Pipeline safety and associated environmental protection are a shared responsibility and informed communities play a vital role in the safety and reliability of pipeline operations

The Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration awarded Pipeline Safety Trust $1 million on October 1, 2025, under the Technical Assistance Grants program (CFDA 20.710). The award funds engineering and scientific analysis of pipeline safety issues and technical assistance to strengthen public participation in pipeline safety operations within Bellingham, Washington and surrounding communities. Performance runs through September 30, 2026.

Pipeline Safety Trust, a tax-exempt nonprofit based in Bellingham, will deliver grant-funded activities directly with no identified sub-recipients. The organization's work encompasses analysis of pipeline safety risks, public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and exploration of technology solutions. Deliverables include educating stakeholder groups on pipeline safety issues, reducing barriers to public participation in safety discussions, and providing venues for ongoing community engagement.

The TAG program funds local communities and nonprofit groups for technical assistance on pipeline safety in areas where pipeline failure could pose significant risk to people or sensitive environmental areas, and supports meaningful public involvement in pipeline operations and safety decision-making. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations, but exclude states, universities, and for-profit entities.

The pipeline safety information grants to communities: technical assistance grants (tag) program (assistance listing 20.710) provides funding to local communities and groups of individuals for technical assistance related to pipeline safety. The program also provides opportunities that strengthen the depth and quality of public participation in the safe operation of pipelines in and around communities. Technical assistance is defined as engineering or other scientific analysis of pipeline safety issues.