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Homeland Security presses for closer scrutiny of chemical plants
June 15, 2005
WASHINGTON A Homeland Security official says voluntary security measures at the nation's chemical plants don't go far enough in protecting them from terror attacks.
Robert Stephan, the agency's acting undersecretary, plans to ask lawmakers at a hearing today to more closely lay out the government's role in overseeing plant security efforts. The government already regulates security standards at nuclear power plants and commercial airports.
Stephan says letting plants do it on their own won't fix the problem. The industry has resisted federal oversight, saying voluntary protections have helped secure plants across the country.
Counterterrorism analysts put the chemical industry at the top of the list of likely targets, and close to one-fifth of the nation's chemical plants are close to cities.
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