[StBernard] Landrieu Announces $46.5M in Homeland Security Funding for La.

[Westley Annis]

Landrieu Announces $46.5M In Homeland Security Funding for La.
Grants will protect ports, energy infrastructure, transit systems and
support local emergency planning.

 

WASHINGTON - United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today announced
$46.5 in Department of Homeland Security infrastructure grant dollars will
be awarded to Louisiana for 2008. This money is in addition to emergency
communications grants and formula funding provided to the state and the New
Orleans and Baton Rouge metropolitan areas for other security projects. By
enhancing port and transit security, protecting energy infrastructure and
providing money for emergency planning, this money will help prevent
terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies, and mitigate the
effects should such an event occur. 

"Louisiana's unique infrastructure serves a critical function not only for
our state, but for the entire nation," Sen. Landrieu said. "Our ports
facilitate commerce for the entire country, every corner of which is fueled
by the energy we produce. At a time when America remains vulnerable to
terrorist attacks and the ever-present possibility of a natural disaster,
these funds will help maintain Louisiana's resilience." 

Louisiana will receive $38,351,000 for its ports through the Port Security
Grant Program, which supports efforts to better control access to ports and
protect against attacks. The $30.8 million dollar award to the New Orleans
Port Area - encompassing New Orleans, South Louisiana, Baton Rouge, St.
Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish - was the fourth largest in the
country. Other Louisiana port recipients included Lake Charles ($4,148,027)
and Port Fourchon/LOOP ($3,054,655), Alexandria, Morgan City, Shreveport,
Monroe, Kenner, Houma and Ouachita/Red Rivers. 

Lousiana also received the fourth largest award - $3 million - of any state
through the Buffer Zone Protection Program, which awards funds to enhance
security capabilities at critical infrastructure sites, such as chemical
facilities, financial institutions, nuclear and electric power plants, dams,
stadiums and other high-risk facilities. 

The Transit Security Grant Program - which supports efforts to protect
transit infrastructure from threats that would endanger lives or impose
significant burdens on service and commerce - will award $230,000 to the New
Orleans Regional Transit Authority and the Jefferson Transit Authority. In
addition, $269,000 will go to Louisiana bus line operators Calco Travel and
Hotard Coaches through the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program.

The state of Louisiana will receive $4.6 million in Emergency Management
Performance Grants, which are meant to assist state and local governments in
their ability to manage all types of disasters.

 

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