Amata Announces $73K DOT Grant Award

Washington, D.C. –Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, announced today that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a grant in the amount of $73,033 as part of PHMSA’s 2016 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant Program.

“I am grateful that the territories are included in this HMEP Grant Program,” stated Amata. “It is imperative that we continue to fund infrastructure and safety programs for the territories as we continue to develop and move forward.”

Congress created the HMEP Grant Program in 1990 which allows recipients to design and implement planning and training programs according to need. The grants allow emergency response personnel to maintain the safety of themselves and the public when responding to hazardous materials related emergencies through activities such as: Developing or revising emergency plans and training activities to account for bulk transportation of energy products by rail and over the road; Conducting commodity flow studies to determine the frequency and quantity of hazmat shipments being transported through local communities; Training emergency responders to respond appropriately to incidents involving bulk shipments of energy products as well as other hazmat.

“I want to thank Dr. Claire Poumele, Director of the Department of Port Administration, and her team who worked to obtain these important funds for our islands. I also want to thank Patricia Klinger with the DOT’s Regional Office, and those USDOT officials who recognized the need for these grants,” concluded Amata.

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