Lawmaker backs Napolitano on scan-all law

Lawmaker backs Napolitano on scan-all law    A congressional supporter of 100 percent scanning of ocean containers for terrorist threats acknowledged Tuesday that logistical and technical difficulties may warrant pushing back the 2012 deadline.
   The 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 included a provision that all containers be inspected with imaging equipment at overseas ports within five years. The law passed over the strenuous opposition of industry and many foreign governments who believe the measure is not achievable at most ports, is too heavy-handed for maintaining normal commerce and forces other countries to bear the cost of protecting the United States.

Napolitano

   Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testified that the 2012 deadline would be difficult to meet because of a variety of challenges, such as getting other nations to agree to the screening. Others have described problems with limited space in most ports to line up containers for X-rays, huge shipment delays, technical issues, processing transshipment cargo, and determining who pays for the extra security.

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   Napolitano also suggested during her confirmation process that she would seriously consider exercising waivers in the law to postpone implementation in two-year increments.
   Rep. Jane Harmon, D-Calif., an original co-sponsor of the SAFE Port Act in 2006, said she believed Napolitano will follow the law, but added, 'I'm gonna support her if she asks for relaxed deadlines.'

Harmon

   Harmon spoke with American Shipper after receiving the 'Port Person of the Year' award from the American Association of Port Authorities for her work securing higher levels of port security grant funding and addressing problems with the enrollment process for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential.
   The congresswoman said she voted for the scan-all provision because the intent was good, but said the key objective should be to implement it in an effective manner. The law should be postponed as long as the likelihood of shipment delays and technological glitches endure, she said.
   During her keynote speech to the AAPA's Spring Conference, Harmon revealed that Napolitano is scheduled to visit the Port of Los Angeles in her district early next month. The Homeland Secretary will observe the performance of radiation portal monitors and the port's TWIC capability, receive a briefing from the Coast Guard and tour the port authority's high-tech command post.
   All workers and others seeking unescorted access to secure areas of marine terminals and other port facilities in Los Angeles and Long Beach must begin using the TWIC card as of April 14. More than 54,000 people have obtained cards for the twin ports. ' Eric Kulisch