West Virginia Gets Pipeline Safety Inspection Repayment

West Virginia’s pipeline safety program will receive nearly $453,000 from the federal government.

Congressman Nick Rahall announced the grant Monday from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. More than $47 million is being distributed in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The safety administration reimburses state pipeline safety programs for a portion of their total expenses in a given year. The state programs employ more than 320 inspectors who are responsible for 80 percent of the nation’s intrastate and distribution pipelines.

In West Virginia, the state Public Service Commission handles pipeline inspection and enforcement of safety regulations.