DHS Awards $445 Million in Port, Transit, Bus Security Grants
The Homeland Security Department yesterday announced it has finalized awards of $445 million in grants to assist ports, transit systems, and intercity bus systems as they recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. The grants come via the FY2007 Infrastructure Protection Program.
"These grants will help to protect our nation's critical infrastructure from threats and hazards that could cause major loss of life, economic impact, and disruption of services,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson. "These risk-based investments will increase security for vital assets such as ports, mass transit systems, long-distance bus carriers, chemical facilities, and nuclear power plants."
The port grants, totaling $202 million, are going to 183 recipients for training, exercises, and other activities to mitigate the risk of improvised explosive devices, DHS said. Another $171 million in transit grants and helping high-risk urban areas; $141 million of this was announced in January 2007. And $11.6 million is going to intercity and charter bus companies serving one or more Urban Areas Security Initiative jurisdictions, the department announced.