Chemical industry group supports security legislation

Jul 11, 2006 3:50 PM

The introduction of a bipartisan, comprehensive chemical security bill (H.R. 5695) by leaders of the House Homeland Security Committee represents a critical step in the effort to win passage of legislation this year, the American Chemistry Council (ACC -- www.americanchemistry.com/) says.
"It's like getting a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth of a tied game," said Marty Durbin, managing director, federal affairs, in testimony before the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity of the House Committee on Homeland Security. "It could be a whole new ballgame, because we now have a chance to win passage of meaningful legislation before Congress adjourns."
Durbin praised the authors and cosponsors of the bill for crafting a risk-based, performance-oriented measure that grants the Department of Homeland Security power to set and enforce standards for the chemical industry.
The chemical industry is essential to the nation's productivity, competitiveness, health and security, and meaningful legislation will help ensure this critical part of our national infrastructure is protected, Durbin adds.
The measure will allow DHS to recognize the early, aggressive actions and investments made by ACC members under its Responsible Care Security Code. Since 9/11, these companies have invested nearly $3 billion in security enhancements. And, Durbin noted, the bill avoids costly, inefficient duplication of effort and oversight for facilities that currently must comply with the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA).
"Chemical security is a national concern," Durbin said. "Our preference has been for legislation to emulate the strong federal preemption language that Congress approved previously in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act" as the most effective way to avoid a patchwork of potentially conflicting state laws.
ACC will continue to work with the Committee, the full House and the Senate to win passage of effective chemical security legislation this year, Durbin concluded.

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