Questions and Answers - FY 2019 TAG.pdf

2019 TAG Questions and Answers

1. The grant appears to be available to nonprofits with 501c3 status with the IRS. We are currently a

501c4. Can we still apply for this grant?

Yes. Nonprofit entities are eligible to apply for the TAG. IRS nonprofit status is not a limiting factor. Applicants for the TAG must be local communities or groups of individuals relating to the safety of pipeline facilities in local communities, other than facilities regulated under Public Law 93-

153 (43 U.S.C. 165 1 et seq.). Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, counties, parishes, townships, and similar governmental subdivisions, or consortiums of such subdivisions, and groups of individuals; not including for-profit entities.

2. Can I apply for this grant as an individual?

No. Applicants for the TAG must be local communities or groups of individuals relating to the safety of pipeline facilities in local communities. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, counties, parishes, townships, and similar governmental subdivisions, or consortiums of such subdivisions, and groups of individuals; not including for-profit entities.

3. After discussing the possible projects with them, and reviewing the NOFO, I wanted to verify project eligibility before we engage in a proposal. The County has two potential projects that it had discussed with the local PHMSA representative, related to a gas transmission line that runs through the County:

The purchase of Laser Gas Detectors for the County’s Fire Departments:

o Currently, firefighters have to go into the “kill zone” with meters, wait 30 seconds for the meters to register a sample of the natural gas, process it, and return the level of danger. This is obviously problematic. New laser meters can detect gas from 100’ away so that fire personnel do not have to place themselves in unnecessary danger

County-wide training for gas leaks:

o The County has built a “leak street” – a full scale training site that simulates a residential street with prefabricated sheds to replicate houses and fake gas meters that are filled with compressed air. The County would like to offer training for the region’s departments but due to the cost of running the program at no-charge to the departments, are seeking grant funding

I understand that the way the NOFO is written, technical assistance is defined as engineering or other scientific analysis of pipeline safety issues. Because of that, and the information the

County received from the local representative, we wanted to verify that these would be eligible projects.

PHMSA will not prejudge or provide any advance review or approval of proposals. PHMSA will review all submitted proposals in accordance with the review process described in the published

TAG NOFO. 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 public participation in official proceedings pertaining to pipeline safety. A summary of the TAG awards, including final reports from completed grant projects, is available at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag.

We encourage all potential applicants to review the projects that were previously awarded.

4. Can a small budget fire district apply for this grant for newer PPE, equipment for HAZMAT calls and

HAZMAT training?

Applicants for the TAG must be local communities or groups of individuals (not including for-profit entities) relating to the safety of pipeline facilities in local communities. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, counties, parishes, townships, and similar governmental subdivisions, or consortiums of such subdivisions, and groups of individuals; not including for-profit entities. If the small fire district meets these eligibility requirements, we encourage you to apply for the TAG.

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 public participation in official proceedings pertaining to pipeline safety. A summary of the TAG awards, including final reports from completed grant projects, is available at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag. We encourage all potential applicants to review the projects that were previously awarded.

5. We have 2 pipelines running through our county currently with another one almost complete and a 4th starting soon. Three are (or will be) natural gas lines that connect to a compression station in the center of the county. Additionally, we have three chemical plants in our county that use and produce hazardous materials. Can you give me examples of what kind of projects or equipment is eligible under this grant? We are working to put together a hazardous materials trailer and updating our hazardous materials response plan after a couple incidents at one of the chemical plants.

A summary of the TAG awards, including final reports from completed grant projects, is available at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag. We encourage all potential applicants to review the projects that were previously awarded. We also note that the TAG 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 development and operation of pipelines in and around communities. Technical assistance is defined as engineering or other scientific analysis of pipeline safety issues. Please note that there is a distinct difference between pipeline safety and hazardous materials safety; the TAG funds are for pipeline safety.

6. We are considering the purchase of leak detection equipment as one operational part of a potential project. The question being posed today is this, whether or not this sort of equipment purchase is permitted under the purview of the TAG program, and if so, what type of metrics need to be followed regarding the equipment to ensure it is appropriate for the program?

Yes, the purchase of pipeline safety equipment has been funded with the TAG. A summary of the

TAG awards, including final reports from completed grant projects, is available at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag. We encourage all potential applicants to review the projects that were previously awarded. While you note that the leak detection equipment will be used “as one http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag operational part of a potential project,” the TAG funds may not be used for activities associated with regulatory compliance or typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities. This restriction includes compliance with pipeline safety integrity management regulations.

7. Can this particular grant could be used for radio read gas meters to help with safety and efficiency for our gas service?

Yes, the purchase of pipeline safety equipment has been funded with the TAG. A summary of the

TAG awards, including final reports from completed grant projects, is available at http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/tag. We encourage all potential applicants to review the projects that were previously awarded. We encourage all potential applicants to review the projects that were previously awarded. While you note that radio read gas meters will “help with safety and efficiency” of your gas service, the TAG funds may not be used for activities associated with regulatory compliance or typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities. This restriction includes compliance with pipeline safety integrity management regulations.

8. I am looking at the grant applications SF-424 question # 19: “Is application subject to review by State

Under executive Order 12372 Process?” My question is whether or not it is subject to review by the

State, and if so, who would we send it to?

Executive Order (EO) 12372 established a national program that encourages coordination between federal agencies, states and local governments. This program provides opportunities for local governments to learn about and comment on selected projects affecting their jurisdictions.

Applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for EO 12372 to determine whether the application is subject to the State intergovernmental review process. The list of

SPOCs is available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Intergovernmental_-Review-_SPOC_01_2018_OFFM.pdf. The EO is also available for your review at: https://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Intergovernmental_-Review-_SPOC_01_2018_OFFM.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Intergovernmental_-Review-_SPOC_01_2018_OFFM.pdf https://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf