WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced $100,000 in funding for West Virginia University to research new ideas and technologies that will improve the safety of the nation’s energy transportation pipelines. The funding is being awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP).
“The U.S. has experienced tremendous growth in energy production over the last several years, which presents a huge opportunity for West Virginia’s economy. In order to seize this opportunity, we must ensure that energy products are transported safely and effectively. This grant will enable West Virginia University to conduct research that will improve the safety of energy pipelines - already one of the safest methods of transportation – and empower West Virginia to capitalize on the potential of America’s energy revolution,” said Senator Capito.
“Our research and development teams at West Virginia University do tremendously important work, leading the nation in innovation and helping us advance in engineering, science and technology,” Senator Manchin said. “There is truly no better place than West Virginia for this type of research. Our state understands first-hand the importance of protecting our citizens from pipeline accidents while also ensuring the flow of energy products across the country. I’m so pleased that this grant will support our students and faculty at WVU and their goal of finding solutions for improving pipeline safety in our country.”
West Virginia University was selected to receive this grant based on relevance to PHMSA’s mission, scientific merit, feasibility and past institutional performance. PHMSA intends to adopt the most promising findings into its core research program for further, long-term investigation.
For more information, please visit the Research & Development section of PHMSA’s website at: www.phmsa.dot.gov.
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