Defense Bill Requires Plan for Funding Infrastructure Improvements at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Press Release

Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have approved the final version of the fiscal year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision requiring the U.S. Navy to develop a plan to fund infrastructure improvements at the nation's four public shipyards, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The amendment, authored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), all members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), a senior member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, requires the Secretary of the Navy to submit a plan to Congress no later than September 1, 2012.

"I am very concerned with the lack of an investment strategy to address the lack of funding to maintain and repair our shipyards, and I have strongly advocated for the Navy to reverse this trend and accelerate military construction and facility modernization projects at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and our other public shipyards" said Senator Collins, who is also a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee. "Our provision calls on the Administration to provide us with a plan to do just that and meet its commitments in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our naval shipyard workers."

"Our public shipyards are absolutely critical to America's naval power around the world, and they all suffer from a lack of critical investments. Revitalizing our shipyards will allow the dedicated workers of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to continue their exemplary work maintaining the ships that protect our shores," said Senator Shaheen.

"This is good news for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, whose workers set the standard for maintaining our nation's nuclear submarine fleet. Our provision will help ensure that the Navy addresses the critical infrastructure needs at our nation's public shipyards, including the modernization backlog at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard," said Senator Ayotte, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.

"I am pleased the bill headed to the President's desk contains our proposal to ensure that the Navy develops a plan to address the inadequate conditions of infrastructure at the nation's shipyards, including the Kittery-Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. As GAO's November 2010 report illustrated, properly and promptly addressing infrastructure needs is a wise investment that saves money, increases yard efficiency and ensures the continued high quality service required to keep our nation's naval fleet in top condition," said Senator Snowe.

In November 2010, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report that found that the Navy's modernization requirements at our nation's four public shipyards were underestimated, even though the Navy has stated that the backlog of facility improvements at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is $513 million. In March, the Navy announced plans to invest approximately $100 million in facility upgrades and modernization at PNSY next year. The funding, provided through the Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (SRM) budget, is to be used for energy conservation and repairs to submarine enclosures, building renovations, repair to the waterfront support facility and structural repair and consolidation of the yard's workshops.