Homeland secretary to kill spy satellites

updated 7:43 p.m. ET June 22, 2009

WASHINGTON - A government official says Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano plans to kill a controversial program begun by the former Bush administration to use U.S. spy satellites for domestic security and law enforcement missions.

The program was announced in 2007 and was to have been run by Homeland Security. It has been delayed because of privacy and civil liberty problems.

The official said crucial lawmakers who have objected to the program, known as the National Applications Office, will be notified about the decision Tuesday.

Domestic agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Interior Department have had access to the satellite imagery for years and will continue to, but not through the Homeland Security Department.

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