Washington, DC, Dec. 5, 2001 — Increased security measures at water and wastewater plants could cost an estimated $11 million, according to preliminary results from a new survey of state governors.
Increased security at nuclear power plants is estimated to cost $58 million, and security precautions for gas pipelines and electric power plants could cost an estimated $28 million.
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices released the preliminary survey results outlining the state costs associated with funding the homeland security measures called for by President Bush and the Office of Homeland Security.
The complete survey is available at the National Governors Association web site by following this link: http://www.nga.org.
The survey is being compiled as the governors ask Congress to appropriate at least $2 billion directly to states and territories to enhance capacity and preparation of state and local health systems to respond to bioterrorism and an additional $1 billion in state grants for public safety, emergency response and other related costs.
Featuring data from 17 states and one territory and representing more than 25 percent of the United States population, the survey indicates the cost of homeland security to the states will be approximately $4 billion in the first year alone. Bioterrorism and emergency communications represent $3 billion of the costs with an additional $1 billion for guarding critical infrastructure.
Vermont Governor Howard Dean cited new security responsibilities as significant problems for states already facing budget shortfalls. "Since September 11 it has become apparent that our emergency response and security networks were woefully underfunded. Governors were requested to assist in the security of our nation's borders, airports, nuclear power plants, dams and bridges, many of which fall under federal jurisdiction without a defined plan of reimbursement for the costs incurred. For the many states that are currently facing budget crisis, spending millions of dollars to purchase gasmasks, communications equipment for first responders and maintain security at key facilities will require cuts in other state programs."
Regarding the several proposed bills in Congress that would only provide funds to federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NGA Executive Director Ray Scheppach said, "Few people in Washington seem to understand that our nation's public health system is built and supported by state and local governments and that we, the states, will be held accountable for ensuring that resources are both available and properly distributed in case of a bioterrorism or chemical attack. The NGA survey results make a strong case for the authorization of federal legislation to create funding that is sent directly to states to assist in the modernization of our public health infrastructure."
Governor Dean said the Senate will vote on a final funding package on Thursday, December 6. "We have sent a letter to all of the Congressional leaders that reiterates what states need in the final package- $2 billion to strengthen the public health systems ability to handle a bioterrorism attack and a substantial fund for state discretionary grants to protect vital infrastructure."
"If Congress only provides funds to the federal government for homeland security and bioterrorism, it will be making a large mistake," said NGA Vice Chairman Kentucky Gov. Paul E. Patton. "State budgets are already burdened by the recession and we have responded to the requests of various federal agencies for assistance in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and to be blunt, these services aren't cheap. We need funds that will afford us the flexibility necessary to deal with the broad range of security responsibilities that now confront every governor."
The Center for Best Practices will continue to update the survey as results from additional states becomes available over the next two weeks.
NGA, Founded in 1908, is the instrument through which the nation's governors collectively influence the development and implementation of national policy and apply creative leadership to state issues. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, 3 territories and 2 commonwealths.
