(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a
senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she has
been able to steer $20 million in critical homeland security funding to the
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the Tri Cities. The funding, secured
in the Fiscal Year
2011 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, will be
used for the acquisition and installation of Radiation Portal Monitors
and was $12 million more than what was included in the President’s budget. The
bill passed the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee today.
“Washington
state relies heavily on the trade that flows through our ports, making it
susceptible to devastating and economically paralyzing attacks,” said Senator Murray. “This
critical project maintains the unique balance of securing our ports with
ensuring the free flow of commerce that our state depends on for economic
growth. It also supports family-wage jobs in the Tri-Cities.”
The
Radiation Portal Monitoring Project has a goal of scanning all vehicles and
cargo entering our land, rail, sea and air ports for unauthorized shipments of
nuclear and radioactive material, while maintaining the normal flow of legitimate
trade and travel. The majority of the technical work and planning for this
project is done by approximately 150 full time employees at the Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington.
“The
Radiation Portal Monitor Project plays an important role in helping protect our
great nation from harm,”
said Mike Kluse, PNNL Director and Senior Vice President, Battelle. “Since
beginning the project seven years ago, extensive testing, installation and
integration of radiation portal monitor systems has the nation closing in on
its mission to scan all incoming international traffic and cargo for illicit
radioactive materials. In addition, this work is driving advances in radiation
science and technology, which is key to maintain our domestic and international
security.”
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