Senator Susan Collins today announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be awarding Maine $582,218 for port security and all-hazards preparedness efforts in the state. The grants are funded by supplemental appropriations made available to DHS for administration of the Port Security Grant Program and the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) program. Senator Collins is the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over DHS.
From the amounts awarded, the State of Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will receive $506,633 in Emergency Management Performance Grant funding. The Sprague Energy Corporation in Portland will receive $75,585 under the Port Security Grant Program. This additional amount fully funds Portland’s request for fiscal year 2007 under the port security program.
“Funding under these grant programs is important to protect and strengthen the security of Maine’s communities and ports. These funds will help prevent terrorist activity and speed recovery from both natural and man-made disasters,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased that DHS has awarded these funds to Maine.”
Using her leadership positions on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Collins has worked to enhance, and sustain funding for, DHS grant programs. The SAFE Port Act, co-authored by Senator Collins, increased authorized funding the DHS Port Security Grant Program. Additionally, Senator Collins’ legislation to reform FEMA substantially increased the authorization for the EMPG program. More recently, the Senate adopted an amendment by Senator Collins to fully fund the EMPG program.
###