Chertoff: Chemical plants cannot freeload on security (no fed standards)

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN/AP: Chertoff: Chemical plants cannot 'freeload' on security
Tuesday, March 21, 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The free ride is almost over for U.S. chemical plants that have failed to strengthen protection against terrorists or accidental leaks, says the nation's homeland security chief says.

Plants that resist costly security measures can no longer expect to be "free riders" among the 15,000 privately operated chemical facilities, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warns....

***

Counterterror experts put the chemical industry at the top of the list of likely terror targets. Congressional investigators have revealed spotty results in how well the chemical industry is prepared to respond in the event of an attack.

The chemical industry generally has resisted federal regulation, and large manufacturers have voluntarily taken steps to improve security that they deem adequate. But small chemical firms and plants have largely ignored adding safeguards to avoid having to pay for them....

***

Homeland Security "wants and deserves authority to set federal standards for chemical security, and then enforce those standards," said Chris VandenHeuvel, a spokesman for the American Chemistry Council, which represents large chemical manufacturers. "Four and a half years after 9/11, they still don't have that."...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/21/chemicalplant.security.ap/index.html

[acmejack]

1. Is this Country going to look like an armed camp soon?

I always remember that I was struck in my youth when I traveled to authoritarian Countries by the number of armed men running around everywhere in public. I am afraid we will soon see that scene repeated here. What a scary vision...

[wordpix2]

2. oh so now * is getting nervous re: regs & laws he's dismantled to help his

corporate and industry buddies. He and Jerkoff are realizing blowback could come back to haunt them if a chemical plant is sabotaged.

[deminks]

3. All blow and no go

snip:

But he said federal regulations must be flexible to prevent harsh burdens on business.

end snip

More hot air, terra terra terra.

[HuffleClaw]

4. good luck with that

but there just aint no way bushco. is gonna 'burden' their energy industry friends. of course they COULD simply give 'em a few billion in tax cuts to pay for it.