questions and answers.pdf

DTPH56-12-SN-000001 Questions and Answers Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) Posted 2/18/2012

1) Question: Have these projects been used in the past for waterline safety (condition assessment, modeling and replacement programs to protect public health)?

1) Answer: The TAG program is for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Water pipeline studies are not eligible, unless there is a nexus between water pipelines and natural gas/hazardous liquid pipelines. For example, South Dakota State University is studying the risks that a crude oil pipeline might pose to a rural water system. However, a study focused strictly on water lines is ineligible.

2) Question: We are interested in applying for the PHMSA Technical Assistance Grant (DTPH56-12-SN-000001) but there was a line in the legislation specifically prohibiting funds from being spent on work associated with the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. I was wondering if you might be able to provide me with more information on the specifics of this legislation or direct me to someone with more information.

2) Answer: The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 first authorized the TAG program

(Public Law 107-355, Section 60130 – “Pipeline safety information grants to communities”). The law states: “(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation may make grants for technical assistance to local communities and groups of individuals (not including for-profit entities) 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.).” Public Law 93-153 pertains to the Trans Alaska Pipeline System.

3) Question: In reading through the PHMSA grant opportunity I was unsure if, when it referenced eligible applicants, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) were eligible to apply as a consortium of the agencies represented within the LEPC. In the state of Florida LEPCs are organized regionally. The East Central Florida LEPC is made of up of representatives from six counties and their municipalities.

3) Answer: The answer is yes, the East Central Florida LEPC is eligible to apply for a grant because they are a consortium of governmental subdivisions.

4) Question: The Cordova Water, Sewer and Gas Board has old cast iron gas mains that need to be located, mapped, evaluated and replaced where needed. Can the PHMSA Technical Assistance Grant be used to locate, map and evaluate cast iron gas mains? If the answer is yes, where can I find the application and the rules regarding PHMSA Technical Assistance Grants?

4) Answer: I recommend that you read the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) request for applications thoroughly to understand the types of work that are eligible for TAG funding. The request for applications is available at http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do. Search by funding opportunity number DTPH56-12-SN-000001. The request for applications explains everything you http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do

DTPH56-12-SN-000001 Questions and Answers Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) Posted 2/18/2012 need to know about applying for the grant, how the applications will be evaluated, and where to go for more information. Please note that the funding cannot be used for activities commonly associated with regulatory compliance or routine operations and maintenance. If you would like to review a list of past TAG awards, visit http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag/.

5) Question: Who is eligible to apply for the 2012 TAG?

5) Answer: The request for application (RFA) states that “Eligible Applicants: Applicants for

Technical Assistance Grants must be local communities or groups of individuals (not including for-profit entities) 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.). Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, counties, parishes, townships, and similar governmental subdivisions, or consortiums of such subdivisions.”

6) Question: We were looking at the pipeline safety grant and wanted to see about our eligibility as a labor organization. We are developing some volunteer emergency response teams to assist at tornadoes and floods, and we were wondering if an instructional program on pipeline safety in those situations would be eligible for this type of grant?

6) Answer: The only eligibility requirement is that you represent a local or regional government or non-profit organization. Please see the request for applications for more information about eligibility. Developing instructional programs regarding pipeline safety is an eligible grant activity.

7) Question: Where can I find sample of awarded projects?

7) Answer: You can find all the projects that were awarded under the Technical Assistance Grants program in 2010 and 2011 by visiting PHMSA’s website, see link below:

http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag/.

8) Question: I am working for a small business that supplies natural gas to 300 low income residents in a rural area. The gas pipes and infrastructure are aging and need to be completely updated. As this is a private small business that does supply to low income natural gas recipients in a rural area, do we qualify for a tag grant or any other?

8) Answer: Private businesses are not eligible to receive Technical Assistance Grant funding.

In addition, infrastructure replacement is not an eligible expense. To better understand the eligibility requirements and eligible expenses for the TAG program, please review the request for applications at http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do by searching for funding opportunity number DTPH56-12-SN-000001.

http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag/ http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag/ http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do