As federal chemical facility security standards are due to expire in 2009, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security today voted to approve legislation that would strengthen and make permanent improvements to the security of America’s chemical facilities.  The legislation was approved in the House Homeland Security Committee by a vote of 15-7. 

“I thank Chairman Bennie Thompson for prioritizing a real threat to our homeland and moving quickly to pass the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008,” stated Pascrell, an original cosponsor of the legislation.  “Chemical plants are a very threatening element of the New Jersey Turnpike stretch that security experts consider to be the most dangerous two miles in America.  There is no doubt that passage of this bill will help mitigate the threat they present.” 

Rep. Pascrell worked closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to hold up New Jersey’s inherently safer technology (IST) requirement as a national model for the future of America’s chemical safety apparatus.  Pascrell led the Committee in defeating a proposed amendment to the measure which would weaken the national IST requirements mandated for tiered facilities within the bill.  

“The inherently safer technology provision in this bill takes a bipartisan, risk-based approach that is sensible from both a security and business perspective,” stated Pascrell.  “I will push for New Jersey’s inherently safer technology model to be implemented nationally as Congress moves forward with stronger chemical security guidelines.  The technology to reduce the threat of chemical plants has worked in New Jersey and with enough political will, I am confident it will work all across America to make us safer.”

Pascrell also secured the inclusion of language that would extend the current law and allow states like to New Jersey to continue implementing chemical security standards that surpass federal guidelines. 

“Passage of this legislation is a major victory for the safety and security of New Jersey families.  In New Jersey we have moved above and beyond federal guidelines to work towards the fortification of chemical facilities and ensure the highest level of security.  I am pleased by the passage of this legislation and remain committed to fighting any effort by the administration or industry interests to relax the work we’ve completed,” concluded Pascrell.

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