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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will award $20.9 million to states, territories and Native American tribes to improve responses to transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.

The PHMSA grants are funded by user fees paid by shippers and haz-mat carriers. Proceeds will help train first responders to react to haz-mat incidents and meet safety challenges posed by new chemicals and alternative energy products, such as ethanol.  

“This program strengthens local emergency response capabilities and serves a vital role in a comprehensive haz-mat safety program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a prepared statement.

Since 1993, more than 2.4 million emergency responders and others have received training assistance nationwide because of the grants, according to the USDOT. Last year, transportation legislation more than doubled the funding available through the PHMSA’s grant program.