Posted on 03/21/2006 9:06:47 AM PST by Cboldt
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff called for government regulation of chemical plant security on Tuesday but said the industry should come up with its own protective measures, to be verified by private auditors. ...
Congress is considering legislation for federal regulation of the nation's 15,000 privately operated chemical facilities, which counterterror experts have warned are at the top of the list of likely terror targets. ...
The leading bill, by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joseph Lieberman, D-Connecticut, would give Homeland Security authority to shut down plants that fail to submit acceptable security plans.
Large chemical corporations quickly applauded Chertoff's plans, which were mostly aimed at small firms that have resisted installing security because of high costs. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
?....what were the real targets on 9-11.....?......why?
On one side, much like how the petro companies applauded the new stricter EPA regulations on gas stations holding tanks, which in effect closed down tens of thousands of independently owned gas stations in this country allowing the major players to consolidate the industry, the chemical industry major players are working on a similar strategy through regulatory barriers.
On the other hand, there are areas of NJ where 5,000 people could be killed and 50,000 injured in the matter of hours if certain chemical plants were blown up. Plants currently secured by a chain link fence and a deadbolt lock on the door.
There's going to be good money made for consultants in security and pollution control industry off this.
Why doesn't the government just federalize them just like the airport screeners?
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