Security rules to cover inland chemical plants
April 3, 2007
The Department of Homeland Security mandated that all chemical plants not covered by the Maritime Transportation Act undergo inspections for terrorism preparedness. The 7,000 or so plants in the United States covered by the new regulation will be divided into four tiers once they have submitted security assessments. About 300 to 400 would likely be classified as "top tier" plants, subjected to the mostrigorous federal oversight... read more
Chemical Security Act passed by Senate panel
Friday, July 26, 2007
WASHINGTON - Brokering the deal that led to crucial - and unanimous - bipartisan support for the Chemical Security Act by the Senate's Environmental and Public Works Committee, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter on Thursday declared the bill "vitally important to the American people."
"I believe this bill was important enough to go forward," said Specter, a Philadelphia Republican. "This will establish a means to make sure chemical plants remain safe for the people who work and live around them. I don't consider this a Republican or Democrat issue. It's an issue about homeland security." ... read more
Rules push for chemical security Tuesday
April 24, 2007
WASHINGTON -- For most of her life, Jean Taylor has lived in northern New Jersey near the largest oil refinery on the East Coast. She wonders what she's breathing, though she says the odors are not as noxious as they were a few decades ago. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she also has wondered about security. A community activist, she toured the Conoco Phillips Bay View plant with a group of like-minded citizens and was amazed at what she saw -- and didn't see. "There wasn't any guard or security official that I saw. There's more security at the airport than out here." Federal officials are catching up with Taylor 's concerns... read more
Radical changes in chemical plant security urged:
Thursday, June 16, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Almost four years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Congress moved Wednesday toward securing the nation's chemical plants from terrorists. Department of Homeland Security officials and industry executives declared during almost 10 hours of testimony in the Senate and House that they would act to end years of lax defenses against terrorists and enact legislation binding one of the most vital elements of America 's critical infrastructure to more stringent rules... read more
