As Bhopal proved, chemical plants can be weapons of mass destruction. During the Bush administration, Republicans urged on by the chemical industry, took authority over chemical plant security away from EPA and gave it to the Department of Homeland Security -- which they argued was more competent. Now a GOP-led House investigative panel reveals that DHS has proved incompetent and done nothing in five years.
"The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, designed to enhance security against terrorist attack, began about five years ago. The goal was straightforward — figure out which facilities were the most vulnerable and dangerous and then monitor industry efforts to secure those sites.
Since then, CFATS (that’s “Cee-FATS”) has received some 4,200 site security plans from businesses — who’ve spent tons of their own money on plans and improvements — to obtain a government seal of approval for their efforts.
So far, some $480 million later, not one has been approved. Zero. And heads may roll."
Al Kamen reports for the Washington Post's In the Loop blog February 16, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"House Lawmakers Give DHS a Bipartisan Spanking" (Greenwire)
"Rep. Joe Barton delivers blistering critique of federal program to protect chemical plants" (Houston Chronicle)
"Chemical Security (CFATS) Bogged Down in Congress Due to Lack of Action" (GWU Homeland Security Policy Institute)
"DHS Officials Questioned About Chemical Plant Security" (C-SPAN)
"DHS Vows To Fix Plant Security Program" (Chemical & Enfineering News)
"SOCMA: Greater Congressional Oversight, Long-Term Extension Will Improve CFATS Implementation" (SOCMA Release/PR Newswire)
"CFATS Can Be Fixed, DHS Officials Tell Skeptical House Republicans" (Fierce Homeland Security)
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