The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces it will distribute $314 million in new funding to ports, transit and intercity bus systems to further strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks and other emergencies.

The grants are part of the Infrastructure Protection Program (IPP), which comprises seven programs that form major critical infrastructure sectors. The funding allotments provide awards to three competitive grant programs: the Port Security Grant Program ($168 million); the Transit Security Grant Program ($136 million); and the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program ($9.5 million).

Earlier this summer, funding was allocated to the four other programs within the IPP: the Buffer Zone Protection Program; the Chemical Buffer Zone Protection Program; the Intercity Rail Transit Program; and the Trucking Security Program. A total of about $400 million is being distributed for the 2006 IPP grants.

“The Infrastructure Protection Program helps to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure from threats and hazards that could cause major loss of life, economic impact and disruption of services,” says Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff. “These resources will further enhance risk-based initiatives to increase security around vital assets ranging from ports, to chemical facilities, to transportation systems.”

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