DONALDSONVILLE, La. (BRPROUD) – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) joined Mayor Leroy Sullivan, State Senator Edward J. Price, State Representative Ken Brass, and Community and Economic Development Director Lee Melancon to celebrate funding for the City of Donaldsonville’s natural gas system improvements.
The Mayor of Donaldsonville, Leroy Sullivan Senior, said the pipelines around his city, are made of cast iron, a very brittle material, especially in the cold. Causing many pipelines to burst and have natural gas leaks. The city losing revenue while the resident’s concerns rise for the safety of their city.
“I know that we need to change out all of the natural gas lines,” said Mayor Sullivan Sr. “We have about a 36% percent loss, with natural gas due to leaks.”
Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr., and the Mayor have been working together on getting a grant to help rebuild pipelines.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” said Congressman Carter. “When I learned about this need, I committed to doing everything in my power to help fix this problem in the interest of public safety. I am proud to make good on that promise today,”
Rep. Carter secured $4,000,000 for the city through Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations funding. This money will be used to complete phase two of necessary improvements and allow Donaldsonville to move forward toward fully replacing the pipes which will protect the community from potential gas leaks.
“Donaldsonville’s current infrastructure consists of old cast iron distribution mains for the city’s natural gas system,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. “We must work toward changing out all the cast-iron lines because it’s a first and foremost a safety issue, and secondly, we don’t want this to be a hindrance down the road to any development.”
Congressman said with changing out the old pipelines, will potentially create jobs and businesses to come to the small city to build revenue.
“This funding is crucial to make the city’s natural gas pipeline infrastructure safer, create good jobs, and reduce the risks to Donaldsonville residents and businesses,” said Congressman Troy Carter Sr. “Smaller communities are the backbone of America and that’s what we’re investing in today.”
The $4,000,000 check will go into effect immediately to replace the pipelines before winter comes.
There will be a second check presentation adding more grant money toward the Donaldsonville natural gas pipelines.
Local leaders such as U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, U.S. Representative Garret Graves, and U.S. Representative Troy Carter along with PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown will be in attendance.
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