Homeland Security admits chemical plants vulnerable to attack

(TULSA) - Senator Tom Coburn, of Oklahoma, introduced legislation Wednesday called The Protecting and Securing American Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2014.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the amendment that will take a number of steps to improve the Department of Homeland Security’s chemical security program.

“Since its creation, the CFATS program has been beset by chronic mismanagement, missed goals, backlogs, and regulatory excess. This program exists to increase our nation’s security against attacks on chemical facilities, but it hasn’t adequately met that goal,” said Committee Ranking Member Tom Coburn.

The move will strengthen management practices and whistleblower protections, simplify reporting and information sharing practices, and provide more stability for the next four years.

“While the Administration has made significant improvements to the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program over the past year, it is clear that the current program is in need of reform,” said Committee Chairman Tom Carper.