SAFFORD — The federal government made it official Friday, with a presentation of a check for nearly $1.1 million to the City of Safford for upgrades to the city’s natural gas system.
The funds are a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) program
On hand for the presentation was Shakira Mack, director of the NGDISM, and U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz. Ciscomani sits on the Transportation Subcommittee, which approves the grants, and he said having a seat at the table makes a big difference on who gets the money.
“It’s a loud voice and a strong voice advocating for us, and to have the funds come back here into our community,” Ciscomani said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The funding is for public-owned utilities, and will be used to replace more than 2,200 outdated gas meter assemblies throughout the city. Life expectancy of the meters is around 20 years old, and most of the city’s existing meter assemblies are between 30 and 60 years old.
In addition to replacing the meter assemblies, the funds will be used to create two new positions in the Natural Gas Division of the city’s Utilities Department.
Gas Division Manager Raymond Osornio put in for the grant, and he and other staff were praised by Mayor Richard Ortega during the ceremony.
“We have a team that just works together,” Ortega said. “They’re forward thinking and they’re the ones make this a great place to live.”
Orsornio previously was able to secure a grant for $173,000 from the NGDISM for gas detection equipment.
This two-year project is expected to be complete by 2026.
Ciscomani also presented Ortega with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition during the ceremony.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
