bmits to Congress the National
Emergency Communications Plan required under section
1802.
(2) Voluntary consensus standards.--The Secretary
may not award a grant to a State under this section for
the purchase of equipment that does not meet applicable
voluntary consensus standards, unless the State
demonstrates that there are compelling reasons for such
purchase.
(h) Award of Grants.--In approving applications and
awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall
consider--
(1) the risk posed to each State by natural
disasters, acts of terrorism, or other manmade
disasters, including--
(A) the likely need of a jurisdiction
within the State to respond to such risk in
nearby jurisdictions;
(B) the degree of threat, vulnerability,
and consequences related to critical
infrastructure (from all critical
infrastructure sectors) or key resources
identified by the Administrator or the State
homeland security and emergency management
plans, including threats to, vulnerabilities
of, and consequences from damage to critical
infrastructure and key resources in nearby
jurisdictions;
(C) the size of the population and density
of the population of the State, including
appropriate consideration of military, tourist,
and commuter populations;
(D) whether the State is on or near an
international border;
(E) whether the State encompasses an
economically significant border crossing; and
(F) whether the State has a coastline
bordering an ocean, a major waterway used for
interstate commerce, or international waters;
and
(2) the anticipated effectiveness of the State's
proposed use of grant funds to improve
interoperability.
(i) Opportunity to Amend Applications.--In considering
applications for grants under this section, the Administrator
shall provide applicants with a reasonable opportunity to
correct defects in the application, if any, before making final
awards.
(j) Minimu