DHS awards $445M for infrastructure protection

The Homeland Security Department has issued grants totaling $445 million for projects to protect the nation's critical infrastructure.

The grants, which are part of the Infrastructure Protection Program, will be distributed through specific grant program offices within the department. They follow a round of grants announced in January for high-priority projects.

The newly announced grants include:

• $202 million through the Port Security Grant Program to 183 public and private entities. The funds will go to efforts to protect the nation's ports from terrorism. The department designated eight of the highest risk port regions to be "Tier 1" and eligible for $120 million of the total. The remainder went to ports with lower risk. The department emphasized training exercises and other activities to limit the risks of explosives, and also efforts to improve employee credentialing and access control in awarding the grants.
  
• $21.4 million through the Transit Security Grant Program. High-risk transit systems got $141 million in January. The new round includes $14.2 million for public transportation systems and $7.2 million for 17 ferry systems. In addition, Amtrak will get $8.3 million.
  
• $11.6 million through the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program. The funds go to owners and operators of city and charter bus companies, with an emphasis on detecting explosive devices. Other funding priorities include the use of visible terrorism deterrence, targeted training and emergency preparedness exercises.