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For Immediate Release
September 21, 2006 |
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Shays, Simmons, Reichert,
Weldon Call for Chemical Security Provisions in Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. –Congressmen Christopher Shays (R-CT),
Rob Simmons (R-CT), Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Curt Weldon (R-PA),
members of the Homeland Security Committee (HSC), today called
for chemical security provisions to be included in the Department
of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 5441).
In a letter to Harold Rogers, Chairman of the Appropriations
Subcommittee on Homeland Security, the lawmakers requested
two bipartisan amendments which passed the HSC to be included
in H.R. 5441, one which gives states the authority to set
stricter security standards and one which requires the use
of less dangerous chemicals, also known as Inherently Safer
Technologies (ISTs).
The text of the letter follows:
The Honorable Harold Rogers
Chairman
Subcommittee on Homeland Security
B-307 RHOB
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Hal:
We are writing to express support for including chemical
security legislation in the conference report to H.R. 5441,
the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Appropriations Act.
We hope that if this legislation is attached to the conference
report, you will include two bipartisan amendments that were
adopted by voice vote during the Homeland Security mark-up
of H.R. 5695, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act, which
greatly improved this legislation.
The first amendment explicitly gives states the authority
to set stricter security standards than those in H.R. 5695,
unless those rules “frustrate” the federal regulations.
The amendment made clear that state environmental, health
and safety requirements would not come under the bill’s
jurisdiction.
The second amendment gives DHS the authority to require the
use of less dangerous chemicals, such as Inherently Safer
Technologies (ISTs), at facilities determined to be a high
risk, as long as it would “significantly” reduce
the consequences of a terrorist attack and would not impair
the business of a facility.
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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