The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) commends US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ranking member Susan Collins (R-ME) and fellow committee members Mary Landrieu (D-LA), David Pryor (D-AR), and George Voinovich (R-OH) for their introduction of common-sense chemical security legislation.
The bipartisan legislation, S 2996, the Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act, would extend the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) until October 4, 2015.
NACD President Chris Jahn said, “CFATS is a landmark new security regulation that has been in effect for less than three years. DHS has done a commendable job with limited resources in writing the regulations and setting up the internal infrastructure to be able to implement and enforce the new standards. Chemical facilities have already invested substantial resources into conducting security vulnerability assessments and developing site security plans through CFATS. Because of these efforts, real security measures are being implemented at facilities around the nation.
“NACD strongly believes that the approach taken by this bipartisan group of senators in S 2996 will enhance the security of chemical facilities much more efficiently and effectively than the bill, HR 2868, passed by the House last fall, which included inherently safer technology (IST) and other non-security related mandates. Requiring DHS to go back and rework the regulations as envisioned under HR 2868 would be counterproductive and would take the focus away from true security efforts. Senators Collins, Landrieu, Pryor, and Voinovich recognize the progress that is being made under CFATS and wisely allow DHS to continue to implement this important program through their legislation.”