Debate Over Security for Chemical Plants Focuses on How Strict

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Debate Over Security for Chemical Plants Focuses on How Strict to Make Rules
After nearly five years of debate over whether the chemical industry should be required to protect plants better against a terrorist attack, a fierce struggle is going on behind the scenes in Congress to deal with what is considered one of the nation’s most serious vulnerabilities.

The clash, which could be resolved as soon as Thursday, is testing the balance of power not just between Republicans and Democrats, but also between rival Republicans in the House and the Senate and between environmentalists and the chemical industry, all of whom have dug in to defend their views.

But the Bush administration, the chemical industry, Democrats, Republicans and environmentalists do agree on one important point: voluntary measures put into place by the industry after the 2001 terrorist attacks are not enough.

An analysis by the Department of Homeland Security found 272 chemical plants nationwide at which an attack or accident could affect at least 50,000 people and an additional 3,400 plants at which more than 1,000 people were at risk.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/washington/21chemical.html?hp&ex=1158811200&en=72fee250373d1f78&ei=5094&partner=homepage