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Texas
Related: About this forumTX officials aim to see if fertilizer plants located near schools
Two months after the explosion at a fertilizer facility in West, Texas, state officials told lawmakers this week they are not clear on how many fertilizer production sites in states are located near residential centers. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy testified before the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
Concerns were raised after the blast in West, Texas, when schools, homes, apartments and a senior living center located close to the plant were severely damaged. Aerial photographs of the plant and nearby buildings showed residential centers and a high school within blocks of the fertilizer facility. Residents raised questions as to why these residential areas were allowed to be built so close to the facility.
McCraw and Connealy said there are 16 fertilizer production sites in Texas similar to the facility that had the explosion. Other state officials said 129 facilities store at least 5 tons of ammonium nitrate and other potentially explosive materials. Sixteen of those were fertilizer-mixing facilities like West Fertilizer Co.
The hearing was the second of its kind since the April 17 explosion.
http://www.agprofessional.com/news/Officials-aim-to-see-if-fertilizer-plants-located-near-schools-212216081.html
Concerns were raised after the blast in West, Texas, when schools, homes, apartments and a senior living center located close to the plant were severely damaged. Aerial photographs of the plant and nearby buildings showed residential centers and a high school within blocks of the fertilizer facility. Residents raised questions as to why these residential areas were allowed to be built so close to the facility.
McCraw and Connealy said there are 16 fertilizer production sites in Texas similar to the facility that had the explosion. Other state officials said 129 facilities store at least 5 tons of ammonium nitrate and other potentially explosive materials. Sixteen of those were fertilizer-mixing facilities like West Fertilizer Co.
The hearing was the second of its kind since the April 17 explosion.
http://www.agprofessional.com/news/Officials-aim-to-see-if-fertilizer-plants-located-near-schools-212216081.html
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TX officials aim to see if fertilizer plants located near schools (Original Post)
white cloud
Jun 2013
OP
rdharma
(6,057 posts)1. Better late than never ......... I guess!
rdharma
(6,057 posts)2. Uh...... NO!
"Also during the hearing, the committee drafted a letter to FEMA asking it to reconsider its decision to not provide additional money to help build the West, Texas, community."
Better send that letter to Gov. Perry and the State of Texas!
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)3. I thought Texas hated FEMA. Why do they want money from them??
Ilsa
(61,712 posts)4. Good lord, don't the damn fertilizer plants
Know how close they are to residential centers and schools? Can't they cooperate, save the state a few bucks, and call in if they are NOT located near homes, schools, etc? Even this simple process of elimination will help the state zoom in on potential problem areas.
But I guess the companies/owners would have to have morals to do that.
DhhD
(4,695 posts)5. If they disclose their liabilities, then their insurance cost would rise dramatically.
Some plants may have no insurance.
Ilsa
(61,712 posts)6. Okay, is there a hotline for citizens to
call in locations on the QT?
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)7. It is not the State that needs to know. It is the local First Responders.
rdharma
(6,057 posts)8. Aren't there zoning laws in Texas that prevent this shit?
No regulation?