NACD Issues Statement on Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies Chairman Patrick Meehan (R-PA) and Representative Gene Green (D-TX) today introduced a bipartisan bill to recodify the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program. The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) applauds these efforts and supports passage of the bill.

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"Deterring terrorism is always a top priority for our industry. Legislation that provides consistent and concise mandates so our industry can provide the highest level of security is critically important," said John Shanahan, Vice President of Legislative Affairs. "This bill is a much needed step in the right direction and creates a multi-year extension of the program.  Ultimately we hope that the CFATS program will become permanent."  

The bill introduced today will provide a multi-year authorization of the CFATS program thereby providing certainty for industry, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the public. This commitment will allow companies to make long-term planning and investment decisions for plant security. This legislation also gives DHS time to address needed improvements to the program including expediting the process of certifying facilities. Another key provision authorizes DHS to allow facilities to meet their requirements through alternative security plans.

DHS developed the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program in 2007 as a way to ensure that chemical facilities across the country were protected from the threat of terrorism. The program was originally scheduled to sunset in October of 2009, but it has continued to remain in place via the annual appropriations process approved by Congress.  

"The CFATS program provides flexibility in developing plans to deter terrorism. Politics simply has no place when it comes to a bill of this importance," concluded NACD President Eric R. Byer.  "NACD and its members strongly encourage Congress to approve this bill in short order.  This association greatly appreciates the leadership offered by Chairmen McCaul and Meehan, in conjunction with Congressman Green, in offering this bill and will continue to work with legislators to build bipartisan support and ultimate passage into law. "

NACD and its over 420 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users. They make a delivery every eight seconds while maintaining a safety record that is more than twice as good as all manufacturing combined. NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and a third-party verified management practice. For additional information on our members, their safety record or NACD, visit NACD at www.nacd.com.

Contact: Lucinda Schofer
703/527-NACD(6223)

SOURCE National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)