USA: Congressman Hoyer Dedicates Cove Point Security System

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer recently officially activated a new marine surveillance system at the Dominion Cove Point LNG facility in Lusby.

The new SureTrak system provides an extra level of security for a wide swath up and down the Chesapeake Bay. And, it piggybacks onto a Sure Trak operation at the Atlantic Test Range at Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

SureTrak is a product of Computer Sciences Corporation Applied Technology Group, which has an office in Lexington Park. The Navy funded the installation of a maritime radar, tower, AIS receiver and work stations at Cove Point. The system pinpoints boat traffic and identifies the type of boat and registry. Money for the Navy project came from a Congressional earmark from Hoyer and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). During his remarks Hoyer said SureTrak was a good example of the kinds of important programs that wouldn’t have been possible without the earmarks, which now have been eliminated by the current House majority.

“When a member of Congress sees a need in their district, it’s up to them. This is an investment in the safety of our country,” Hoyer said, adding that America’s enemies have their eye on our energy infrastructure. “It is vulnerable to their evil intent,” he said.

Hoyer also said he was working to see that Calvert Cliffs gets it third reactor, although he admitted it was going to be a bigger challenge in the wake of the Japanese nuclear disaster. Having SureTrak makes Calvert Cliffs safer, he said.

In introducing Hoyer, Joe Anderson of CSC said he was the area’s go-to guy. “Who are you going to call. Congressman Hoyer of course,” he quipped.

In opening remarks, Dominion Transmission’s Senior VP Paul Rupert said about SureTrak, “This new capability brings an added level of security to Cove Point – a facility that is important to Dominion and to the energy supply of Maryland and the East Coast – and other nearby facilities.

“This project provides a remarkable ability to monitor a sizeable portion of the Chesapeake Bay around Cove Point. That’s good for us.

“It also helps the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and the Maryland Natural Resources Police protect both the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant to the north and Cove Point and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station to the south.”

[mappress]

Source: hoyer.house.gov, May 9, 2011;