Contributed article
SAFFORD — The City of Safford announced Monday the receipt of a $1,079,630 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.
This funding, which is part of PHMSA’s five-year, $1 billion initiative to support public-owned utilities, will be used to replace more than 2,200 outdated gas meter assemblies throughout the city, bringing significant safety, economic, and environmental benefits.
The NGDISM program designates $200 million annually for municipal or community-owned utilities to address critical needs in gas distribution infrastructure. This funding is specifically reserved for projects that aim to reduce potential safety risks, help lower energy costs, and contribute to a cleaner environment for residents.
Safford’s replacement project aligns with this mission by eliminating risks associated with aging infrastructure — most of the city’s existing meter assemblies are between 30 and 60 years old.
“Our goal is to build a safer, more reliable natural gas system that will positively impact our community’s day-to-day life and future,” stated Jason Brimhall, Safford Utilities director. “This grant empowers us to invest in our infrastructure in a way that would not have been feasible otherwise, and it aligns with our long-term vision for a sustainable, resilient city.”
In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, this grant will allow Safford to create two new Meter Replacement Technician positions while also supporting wages, health insurance, and Arizona State retirement benefits for existing staff involved in this project over the next two years.
Gas Division Manager Raymond Osornio, who is overseeing the project, highlighted the importance of the initiative.
“With this funding, we’re able to implement essential improvements that will prevent gas leaks, improve accuracy, and safeguard public safety. It’s a significant step forward for our city’s infrastructure. This grant enables us to secure safer, more efficient service for our customers,” Osornio said.
In recent years, Safford has leveraged PHMSA funding to strengthen its gas infrastructure. In FY 2023, the city was awarded $173,000 for gas detection equipment, underscoring its ongoing commitment to safety. The city also plans to apply for a final FY 2025 NDGISM grant to replace the Tortilla Flats steel gas main, further solidifying its infrastructure for future generations.
This two-year project is set to bring essential upgrades to Safford’s gas system, with improvements scheduled to complete by FY 2026. Safford residents can expect increased service reliability, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and community outreach updates as the project progresses.
The grant is part of a larger initiative under the PHMSA NGDISM Grant Program, which has awarded nearly $800 million across 227 projects in underserved rural and urban communities across 29 states since its inception in 2022. The funding empowers community-owned utilities to expedite critical infrastructure upgrades that lower energy costs, prevent gas leaks, and protect the environment from methane emissions.
“For the first time, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are empowering communities to expedite these critical safety improvements while helping families save money on their energy bills,” said PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown. “On average, businesses, families, and everyday Americans can expect to save on their energy bills thanks to these necessary safety improvements funded through this new grant.”
