Morgan City receives $6.9 million grant for gas infrastructure

On Thursday, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration held a press briefing to announce historic investments in Louisiana's pipeline infrastructure. The city of Morgan City was awarded a grant for $6.9 million for the city's natural gas pipelines.

The Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant program is aimed at mitigating safety risk in methane emissions from the highest risk, legacy natural gas distribution pipes.

Also at the briefing, officials announced that Carencro will receive $3.4 million for the same purpose.

This program, established by President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides nearly $200 million a year for a total of nearly $1 billion over five years for the modernization of municipality and community-owned, high-risk natural gas distribution pipes.

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, announced the grants.

“While I opposed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Actin its totality as a matter of principle, some of the proposals within the bill were solid. Ultimately, the bill became law, and the funding has been allocated. We continue to advocate for the advancement of Louisiana projects,” said Higgins. “This funding will provide much needed resources to improve the safety of our energy infrastructure so that our communities can continue to progress toward a safe and healthy future.”