North Dakota gets US$240 000

US Senator Heidi Heitkamp has announced federal funds of more than US$240,000 in order to support the state’s pipeline safety programmes and protect North Dakota communities and families.

“Keeping our pipelines safe will help keep communities across North Dakota safe,” said Heitkamp. “As energy development creates jobs and opportunity in North Dakota, I’ve been working to make sure we have the infrastructure and resources we need to maintain the strong, safe communities that make North Dakota exceptional. That includes my Strong and Safe Communities Initiative, which I’ve used to bring together leaders from across North Dakota to address emerging challenges – from pipeline safety and rail safety, to crime and emergency responder preparedness.”

According to Aberdeen News, these funds will reimburse the state of North Dakota for statewide public safety programmes, including the inspection and enforcement of pipeline safety regulations, monitoring incident investigations and corrective actions in order to improve the integrity and safety of pipelines.

According to Bakken, the funds will be authorised by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Previously, Heitkamp has worked closely with this agency in December 2013 following the derailment of a train transporting crude oil, and in May 2015 for a the train derailment near Heimdal.

Heitkamp is also finding ways to provide first responders for these incidents, in North Dakota and throughout the country. In May 2016, the US Senate unanimously passed Heitkamp’s RESPONSE Act, which was introduced to improve emergency preparedness and training, and help better respond to hazardous incidents.

Sources: Bakken, Aberdeen News, Bismarck Tribune

Edited from various sources by Francesca Brindle

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/07072016/north-dakota-to-receive-pipeline-safety-programme-funding-293/