October 3, 2022 3:00 a.m. 

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that Oregon will receive a combined more than $1.1 million in Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration funds for emergency preparedness.

Wyden said, “The past few years of raging wildfires, floods, hail storms, power outages and ice have only reinforced the need to prepare our communities for emergencies like a pipeline incident threatening Oregonians and our homes, neighborhoods and small businesses”.

Merkley said, “This funding will provide critical support to enhance GIS mapping and training, as well as educating the public to help keep everyone safe”.

A release said the funds will be allocated with:

*Over $99,000 going to the City of Irrigon to develop ways to reduce risk of pipeline emergency incidents and the impact of a possible pipeline failure, and advance safety, public health and environmental sustainability.

*Nearly $43,000 to the City of Umatilla to help identify and evaluate the safety risks, develop and enforce standards for design, construction, operations and maintenance near hazardous pipelines.

*Over $669,000 to the Oregon Public Utilities Commission to reimburse the State for pipeline safety programs.

*Nearly $346,000 to the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal to design and implement emergency preparedness planning and training programs.

More information on the allocation is linked: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-more-than-11-million-to-oregon-for-emergency-preparedness-with-pipelines