TFI Commends Introduction Of Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Legislation
February 14, 2014 The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) has thanked House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX); House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Chairman Patrick Meehan (R-PA) and additional co-sponsors for introducing the CFATS Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014. This bipartisan streamlined bill will provide for a two-year extension of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program and provide important guidance to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on key issues of importance to chemical security. The CFATS Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014 will eliminate the need for year-to-year program budget extensions and provide the chemical industry with the certainty needed to make long-term planning and investment decisions.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be able to effectively establish programs and make necessary changes to existing ones without worrying about whether or not the resources to administer them will be available in the future. The legislation would allow industry to be able to plan for investments with the certainty of knowing the program will be in place.
The legislation also provides companies with a level of flexibility that will facilitate improved security by ensuring that standards for facility access can be modified to meet site-specific conditions. Specifically, the bill allows for third-party inspections and the utilization of DHS approved site security plans by covered facilities.
“TFI extends its sincere thanks to Chairman McCaul, Chairman Meehan and their colleagues for their commitment to ensuring that our nation’s chemical facilities are regulated in an efficient and effective manner,” said TFI President Chris Jahn. “We encourage Congress to continue to move this legislation to completion.”
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