The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration recently awarded Colorado Springs Utilities with a $5.2 million Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant.
The grant funds will contribute to the replacement of approximately 314 individual bare steel service lines, many of which are in older neighborhoods. Construction may begin later this year, the public power utility reported on April 18.
Bare steel service lines can be at higher risk for leaks and failure. There are approximately 8,000 bare steel service lines that remain on our natural gas distribution system.
“These grant dollars will provide a huge boost to the long-term safety and reliability of our natural gas system,” said Travas Deal, Colorado Springs Utilities CEO. “Additionally, it reduces rate impacts on our customers, helps our economy and protects the environment by reducing the risk for leaks and methane emissions.”
The grant investment is part of the utility’s larger commitment to maintain and upgrade its overall natural gas distribution system.
The ongoing Distribution Integrity Management Program is a $9 million annual investment to assess, upgrade and protect the more than 2,600 miles of pipe that deliver natural gas to homes and businesses.
The utility noted in a blog that it is among 65 communities and organizations to receive grant funds via the NGDISM program.
