Grant will help modernize Richmond's natural gas pipelines, which serve part of Henrico

Richmond Gas Works provides natural gas service to customers in the city as well as in parts of Henrico and Chesterfield counties. The funds will fund the modernization of the city's gas piplelines by helping officials repair, rehabilitate or replace nearly 50 miles of pipe, resulting in a significant reduction in methane pollution emissions.

"These grant funds are hugely important as we continue to mitigate safety risks from legacy natural gas distribution pipes, particularly in underserved communities," said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. "Investments like this show a collective commitment to the safety and well-being of our communities."

The grant program is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), which authorized $1 billion for projects across the country to fix aging natural gas pipelines and reduce air pollution.

“This first-of-its-kind infrastructure grant program is both making communities safer and helping those rural and urban communities most in need, save money on their energy bills," said Massoud Tahamtani, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s deputy associate administrator. "We are helping communities that are still relying on pipes from the 1800s modernize their systems and reduce emissions of harmful pollution.”