Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training & Planning Grants

This is a request for a renewal without change of an existing information collection approval under OMB No. 2137-0586. Part 110 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) addresses a reimbursable grant program to enhance existing State, Territories, and Indian tribes hazardous materials emergency preparedness response programs. This information collection supports the Departmental Strategic Goal for safety. This reimbursable grant program is required by Section 5116 (49 App. U.S.C.) of the Federal hazardous materials transportation law. Section 5116 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide assistance to States, Territories, and Indian tribes for hazardous materials emergency response planning and training. The purpose of the grant program is to increase the effectiveness of States, Territories, and Indian tribes in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents; enhance implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA); and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency planning and training by incorporating the unique challenges of response to transportation situations. Where practicable, the requirements contained in 2 CFR part 200 “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,” apply to grants issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). This revision stems from a General Accounting Office (GAO) recommendation (GAO-17-91) to develop a process for regularly collecting information to ensure that State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) are receiving and distributing information provided from the railroads regarding certain hazardous materials shipments to local planning entities. In response to this recommendation, PHMSA is adding questions to grant applications in order to determine if SERCs have received copies of the information provided by railroads and if the SERCs are disseminating this information to local planning entities. PHMSA is estimating an increase in burden because of this additional questions.

The latest form for Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training & Planning Grants expires 2026-11-30 and is listed under ICR 202308-2137-005.