NPGA Applies for Nearly $1 Million in PHMSA HAZMAT Grants

The National Propane Gas Association has submitted three grant applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) seeking a combined total of $975,000 to support hazardous materials safety, emergency preparedness, and community outreach initiatives nationwide through Fall of 2028.

The applications were submitted under PHMSA’s Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT), Supplemental Public Sector Training (SPST), and Community Safety Grant (CSG) programs. If awarded, these projects would expand NPGA’s ongoing efforts to improve hazardous materials transportation safety, strengthen emergency preparedness, and enhance collaboration among industry, emergency responders, public officials, and community stakeholders.

The largest proposal, RAILSAFE would establish a nationwide hazardous materials emergency response training initiative focused on incidents involving flammable liquids, gases, corrosive materials, and other hazardous commodities transported by rail. The project would utilize a blended training model combining electronic instruction with hands-on exercises and practical field training delivered through NPGA’s nationwide network of state and regional propane association affiliates. This project is supported by the Illinois Central Railroad Company and Wisconsin Central Ltd. (together known as CN), both operating as Class 1 railroads.

According to CN, “NPGA has a strong history of offering relevant and capable training for volunteer and remote emergency responders. And their strong network of state affiliates offers a wide breadth of opportunities for both remote and on-site training at rail terminals for propane, butane, and other compressed gases. Thus, we believe they are uniquely qualified to take full advantage of this grant opportunity.”

Under the SPST program, NPGA proposed HAZMAT SAFE-T, a train-the-trainer initiative designed to increase the number of qualified hazardous materials instructors available to support statutorily responsible hazmat responders. The project would provide instructor development, curriculum support, practical exercises, and training resources for future trainers serving fire service personnel, hazardous materials teams, emergency managers, and other safety professionals.

NPGA’s last submission, the Community SHIELD program is designed to support a national hazardous materials transportation safety awareness and preparedness campaign. This project would utilize electronic instruction, stakeholder engagement activities, community preparedness workshops, tabletop exercises, and educational resource development to help municipal leaders and hazmat planning chiefs better prepare for and respond to accidents and incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials to prevent tragedies and damages.

All three applications leverage NPGA’s established network of 36 affiliated state and regional propane associations, longstanding partnerships with emergency response organizations, and successful history administering PHMSA-funded programs. Most recently, NPGA administered a nationwide Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) grant that coordinated activities through 13 state and regional propane association partners, utilizing 84 trainers to conduct 76 training events across 16 states and train more than 2,100 future trainers in hazardous materials transportation safety and emergency response procedures.

Funding decisions are expected following PHMSA’s review process. If selected, the projects would further strengthen the NPGA’s commitment to transportation safety, emergency preparedness, public education, and partnership with emergency responders and community stakeholders across the U.S.

Those organizations or communities interested in participating in any of these three programs are encouraged to reach out to NPGA’s manager of grants and agency engagement, Nicholas Edward, at [email protected].