(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she has helped to secure $18,269,051 for ports across Washington state. The funds will go toward infrastructure security improvements including chemical detectors, cameras, security gates, access controls, and training and exercises. The funding for these grants was included in the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Senator Murray is a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and a national leader on port security. Murray was a principal author of the SAFE Ports Act (P.L. 109-347), which President Bush signed into law last October.



"These grants are great news for the security of our ports and the strength of our economy," Senator Murray said. "These critical dollars will improve technology and training on the ground to help prevent possible attacks. Safer ports mean a stronger economy and a better quality of life for Washington state communities."



The funding included in the bill will be distributed to the following ports:

Port of Seattle - Total: $5,573,887

• Port of Seattle: $5,258,078



• Olympic Tug: $61,169



• Crowley Liner Services: $12,841



• American President Lines: $192,994



• Alaska Railroad Corp.: $48,805

Port of Vancouver, WA - Total: $359,050

• Port of Vancouver: $161,249



• Valero Energy: $197,801

Port of Longview - Total: $262,500

Port of Tacoma - Total: $11,760,272

• Port of Tacoma: $11,605,194



• Sound Refining: $16,000



• Valero Energy: $139,078

Port of Grays Harbor - Total: $313,342

This funding is a particular help to the Ports of Vancouver, Longview and Grays Harbor. None of those ports received port security grants in FY2006.