Reichert: Homeland Security Grants Awarded to Local Ports/Port of Tacoma Selected to Test New Technology
Press Release
Reichert: Homeland Security Grants Awarded to Local Ports/Port of Tacoma Selected to Test New Technology
Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08), of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counter Terrorism, made two significant announcements today regarding the safety of local ports.
First, he welcomed news that port security funds he has advocated for to protect Washington State Ports will be awarded. The Port of Tacoma will receive $11.6 million, an increase of over $9 million from the FY 2007 Port Security Grant Program. In addition, the Port of Seattle will receive $5.25 million. The Ferry system in Washington State will receive an additional $2.4 million.
"I am very pleased to announce that our local ports have received more than $16 in critical security funding," Reichert said. "Keeping our local ports safe is a top priority of mine because not only do we need to protect our infrastructure and economy, but the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are so close to densely populated cities it is critical that we continue to work to make them safe from attack."
Secondly, Reichert announced that tomorrow the Department of Homeland Security will formally announce that the Port of Tacoma was selected as a pilot center to screen for radiation threats. Specifically, this test center will focus on scanning cargo for radiation that moves directly from ship to rail. The Port of Tacoma is ideally positioned to test and develop scanning technology for rail-bound cargo that will benefit the entire maritime industry.
"Securing this segment of the overall supply chain has proved challenging; it will become a larger issue as the Port of Tacoma grows and more cargo is shipped directly from ship to rail," Reichert said. "I have met multiple times with members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and officials at the Port of Tacoma on this security gap. I am hopeful this test center will bring about new technologies that can detect a threat before it has access to the rest of the nation."
The Intermodal Test Center was enacted into law as part of the SAFE Port Act last Congress. Congressman Reichert served on the conference committee negotiating the final version of the SAFE Port Act and helped keep this important provision in the bill.
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