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Summary

The Office of Inspector General plans to review the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grants program.  HMEP grants are used to help states, local governments, and tribal organizations with hazardous materials emergency planning and response resources.   We are conducting this review at the request of the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Chairman cited concerns with potential program mismanagement and misuse of grant funds, which the Committee identified during its investigation of PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Safety Program.  Accordingly, we will evaluate the effectiveness of PHMSA’s (1) policies, processes, and resources to execute the program; (2) outreach and coordination with states, local governments, and tribal organizations to enhance their approach to emergency planning and training; and (3) program oversight to ensure Federal funds are used for eligible activities in accordance with Federal law, regulations, and submitted grant applications.