The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority has received a $1.9 million federal grant to help to replace portions of aging natural gas infrastructure.
“In addition, this grant will greatly enhance the safety and reliability of natural gas service to thousands of Navajo families and improve the standard of life for many,” NTUA noted.
The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s first ever Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant program.
The law designated $200 million a year in grant funding with a total of $1 billion in grant funding over the next five years.
The grant funding is to be made available to a municipality or community owned utility (not including for-profit entities) to repair, rehabilitate, or replace its natural gas distribution pipeline systems.
In addition, the funding can be used to acquire equipment to reduce incidents and fatalities and avoid economic losses.
Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and Arlando Teller, Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs, joined Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren to announce the grant.
It’s the first time that NTUA has received a grant award for natural gas infrastructure.
