Extension and modification of Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program

(a) Modification The matter under the heading natural gas distribution infrastructure safety and modernization grant program under the heading Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration under the heading Department of Transportation in title VIII of division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 1443) is amended— (1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by inserting (referred to under this heading in this Act as the Secretary) after Secretary of Transportation; (2) in the second proviso, by striking to repair, rehabilitate, or replace its natural gas distribution pipeline system or portions thereof or to acquire equipment to (1) reduce incidents and fatalities and (2) avoid economic losses and inserting to repair, rehabilitate, replace, or retire its natural gas distribution pipeline system or portions thereof or to acquire equipment to (1) reduce incidents and fatalities, (2) avoid economic losses, and (3) encourage non-emitting alternatives; and (3) by inserting after the second proviso the following: Provided further, That for purposes of the preceding proviso, the term non-emitting alternative means a technological or efficiency-related energy solution that does not entail the use of fossil fuels that are directly or indirectly related to the greenhouse effect, including electrification, renewable energy sources, networked geothermal systems, storage, efficiency, and behavior change: Provided further, That the promotion or encouragement of non-emitting alternatives (as defined in the preceding proviso) may include workforce training programs: Provided further, That in making grants from funds made available under this heading in this Act, the Secretary shall give additional consideration to an applicant if all workers employed or contracted by the applicant are paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a similar character in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code, and to workforce training programs that comply with apprenticeship requirements similar to the apprenticeship requirements described in section 45(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as determined or established by the Secretary for purposes of making those grants:. (b) Requirement Of the amounts made available by subsection (c) each fiscal year, not less than 20 percent shall be used for non-emitting alternatives (as defined in the third proviso under the heading natural gas distribution infrastructure safety and modernization grant program under the heading Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration under the heading Department of Transportation in title VIII of division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 1443)). (c) Authorization of additional funding There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program described under the heading natural gas distribution infrastructure safety and modernization grant program under the heading Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration under the heading Department of Transportation in title VIII of division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 1443)— (1) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, to remain available until September 30, 2036; (2) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, to remain available until September 30, 2037; (3) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, to remain available until September 30, 2038; (4) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2030, to remain available until September 30, 2039; and (5) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2031, to remain available until September 30, 2040.