Homeland Security Capital Corporation (OTCBB:HOMS), an
international provider of specialized technology-based radiological,
nuclear, environmental, disaster relief and security solutions to
government and commercial customers, announced today that its
environmental remediation subsidiary, Safety and Ecology Corporation
(SEC) was awarded a contract valued at $16.8M under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from the Department of Energy
(DOE). The contract calls for the demolition of facilities and cleanup
of legacy materials at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in
Tennessee.
"SEC has proven it is prepared and qualified to perform environmentally
challenging cleanup work. So far, we have aggregated $37M in ARRA funded
projects for our company,” said C. Thomas McMillen, Chairman and CEO of
HOMS. "We are pleased to assist DOE in ensuring safe and efficient
project completion.”
Under this contract, SEC will perform Demolition, Deactivation and
Decommissioning (D&D) services at 34 facilities in the ORNL central
campus area. When operating, these facilities were used to support
reactor operations and for various laboratory support activities. In
addition to the D&D work, SEC will also remove materials from other
buildings in the lab’s historic central campus, dating back to the World
War II Manhattan Project.
This $16.8 million contract is part of $755 million received by DOE’s
Environmental Management program for projects in Oak Ridge. In total, 49
buildings across the Oak Ridge Reservation are being demolished using
ARRA funds. Additionally, other work includes tank and soils
remediation, capping of old burial grounds, and expansion of the on-site
waste disposal facility. The ARRA provides Oak Ridge the opportunity to
begin much needed cleanup projects at ORNL, Y-12, the East Tennessee
Technology Park, and the Transuranic Waste Processing Center.
As stated in the DOE press release issued 3/31/2010, "This funding is
helping to accelerate the cleanup and demolition of unneeded facilities
at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory – an important step for the
continued environmental cleanup at the site," said Gerald Boyd, manager
of the Oak Ridge Office.
SEC brings more than 18 years of successful, hands-on experience with
remediation projects at DOE facilities and those regulated by the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Christopher Leichtweis, President of HOMS
and CEO of SEC, said, "SEC’s local experience, resources and knowledge
provide strength in maximizing project efficiencies, while minimizing
costs to the government.”
ARRA’s purpose is to stimulate the economy and to create and retain
jobs. SEC estimates that throughout the project lifecycle, approximately
15 months, more than 30 technical positions will have been created or
retained. Mr. Leichtweis added, "SEC is fortunate to have an avenue to
put Americans back to work through the stimulus funds.”
Last week, US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu toured ORNL to inspect a
range of Recovery Act projects and to see firsthand the progress that
has been made as a result of the investments. SEC was showcased by DOE
in a press release issued 3/23/2010, as an example of companies that are
spurring job growth and economic recovery while cleaning up the
environment through the use of ARRA funds. As stated in the DOE release:
SEC has been awarded four Recovery Act projects in Oak Ridge totaling
$21 million for the demolition of facilities and cleanup of hazardous
materials at ORNL and the Y-12 National Security Complex. Secretary Chu
was quoted: "Because of the Recovery Act, programs around the country
have been able to expand, hire and continue our important cleanup work.
These investments have played a key role in helping local economies
recover, creating jobs and supporting small businesses in dozens of
communities.” The Department of Energy also said, "With the Recovery Act
funding, the Department of Energy will be able to reduce the legacy
footprint of Cold War-era sites across the country by 40 percent by
2011."
"Secretary Chu’s visit to Oak Ridge and his commitment to making sure
stimulus funds are being used effectively is a great example of how
government policy is aligned with SEC’s strategic goals and
capabilities,” said Leichtweis.
DOE issued press releases can be found:
www.oakridge.doe.gov
and www.energy.gov/news/releases.htm
About Safety and Ecology Corporation
Safety and Ecology Corporation (SEC) is a rapidly growing
environmental services company in the U.S., providing services
nationally, in Europe and the Caribbean. The Company specializes in the
removal and remediation of hazardous nuclear materials for the U.S.
Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, and other federal
agencies. SEC also provides advanced environmental services for private
industry across the country and internationally. Since its founding in
1991, SEC has grown approximately 30 percent per year, and has emerged
as a technology innovator with more than 450 personnel worldwide and
with annual revenues of more than U.S. $70 million. For more information
on SEC, visit www.sec-tn.com.
About Homeland Security Capital Corporation (HOMS)
Homeland Security Capital Corporation is a company engaged in the
strategic acquisition, development, and consolidation of homeland
security-related businesses, within the fragmented homeland security
industry. The company is focused on creating long-term value by taking
controlling interest and developing its subsidiary companies through
superior operations and management. The company is headed by former
Congressman C. Thomas McMillen, who served three consecutive terms in
the U.S. House of Representatives from the 4th Congressional
District of Maryland. HOMS operates businesses that provide homeland
security products and services solutions, growing organically and by
acquisitions. The company is targeting emerging companies that are
generating revenues but face challenges in scaling their businesses to
capitalize on homeland security opportunities.
HOMS’s portfolio of companies, in addition to SEC, includes:
Nexus Technologies Group, a mid-Atlantic security integrator for
the corporate and governmental security markets that specializes in
non-proprietary integrated security solutions including access control,
alarm, video, communication, perimeter protection and bomb and metal
detection security systems. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies, Nexus
provides innovative, engineered and scalable solutions to effectively
protect people, property and assets. For more information about Nexus,
visit www.nexusna.com.
Polimatrix, Inc., a system integrator and total solutions
provider delivering advanced radiation and nuclear protection and
detection services. The company has been operating since September 2006
as a joint venture between Homeland Security Capital Corporation and
Polimaster, Inc. For more information about Polimatrix, visit www.polimatrix.com.
For more information about Homeland Security Capital Corporation, visit www.hscapcorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be
"forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this
release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future
activities, performance, events or developments, are forward-looking
statements. Although HOMS believes the expectations expressed in such
forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such
statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results
or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements.
