Business & Education News - December 1, 2004

EPA continues focus on homeland security

The National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) will become a permanent part of the U.S. EPA, the agency announced in November. NHSRC’s temporary charter would have expired in October 2005, but responsibilities added by presidential directives in the past year made it clear that the need for the NHSRC would continue, says the agency. EPA has lead responsibility for decontaminating buildings and neighborhoods in the event of a terrorist attack and for ensuring water security for the nation. NHSRC is expecting a $22 million budget for fiscal year 2005, which is about the same as that for fiscal year 2004. Timothy Oppelt will continue as director. However, staff will increase to 50 full-time scientists in Cincinnati, Ohio; Research Triangle Park, N.C.; and Washington, D.C. Those scientists will focus on threat and consequence assessment, decontamination and consequence management, and water infrastructure protection. For more information, go to www.epa.gov/nhsrc.