Funding for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Infrastructure Projects Secured by Senator Collins in Appropriations Bill

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Defense funding bill included an additional $180 million above the President’s request for facilities improvements at public shipyards, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery.  The bill must still be voted on by the full Senate and House.

With Senator Collins’ support, an additional $510 million above what was requested in the Department of Defense’s budget request is provided for maintaining and modernizing facilities across the Navy, which includes $180 million specifically for restoration and modernization projects at the Navy’s four public shipyards identified in the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP).  The SIOP is the Navy’s 20-year investment plan for infrastructure investments needed to modernize the nation’s public shipyards.

In addition to public shipyard infrastructure investments, Senator Collins secured report language that directs the Navy to induct a class of no fewer than 100 apprentices at each of the Navy’s four public shipyards. Senator Collins champions this provision annually.

“The significant investments this legislation makes in our public shipyards, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, are essential to maintaining our Navy fleet and enhancing our national security.  I have long advocated for the Navy to address the modernization needs at PNSY, and this legislation will help build on funding I have previously secured for critical upgrades,” said Senator Collins.  “Additionally, I am pleased that the bill includes language I championed to support the Navy’s apprenticeship program.  PNSY has trained hundreds of hardworking and skilled shipbuilders through this program, which has helped it remain the gold standard among the nation’s public shipyards.”

This funding in the Defense Appropriations bill builds upon funding Senator Collins previously secured for infrastructure upgrades at PNSY, including the $475 million for PNSY’s Dry Dock #1 project in the FY 2022 Military Construction funding bill that advanced out of the Appropriations Committee in August.  Senator Collins also secured report language to that bill which pushes the Navy to continue to prioritize timely funding of the SIOP.

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