A House Homeland Security subcommittee convened Feb. 15 to get industry input on the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. Originally Authorized by Congress in 2007, CFATS “identifies and regulates high-risk chemical facilities to ensure they have security measures in place to reduce the risks associated with these chemicals.”
Committee Chairman John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) noted at the hearing’s opening that managing the security of high-risk chemicals is something the government can’t solve on its own.
“Working with industry stakeholders in this area is an integral part and aspect of our nation’s continuing counterterrorism efforts,” Ratcliffe said. “By identifying high-risk facilities and ensuring that they have appropriate security measures in place, the risks associated with these chemicals can be heavily mitigated, especially after recent tragedies, greater collaboration between government and facility owner-operators also can provide confidence and peace of mind to the American public.”
The hearing featured testimony from a number of professionals in industry, including Chet Thompson, president of American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers; Kristin Meskill, director of BASF Corporation; Pete Mutchler, environment, health, and safety director for CHS Inc.; and Paul Orum, chemical safety advocate for the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters.
Please visit the committee’s website to watch the hearing in its entirety.
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