The ABC7 I-Team unlocks "The Worst Case Scenario"-- what would happen if terrorists attacked Chicago area chemical plants? Fourteen months after the World Trade Center attacks there are still no federal requirements for chemical plant security. Critics charge it's because of industry clout. ABC7's Chuck Goudie reports. 
Illinois leads the nation in the number of facilities that contain lethal chemicals, the kind of plants that federal authorities have warned are terrorist targets. According to the companies own "Worst Case Scenarios" on file with the feds, an attack on some Chicago-area plants could sicken or kill as many as three and a half million people. And yet tonight, the I-Team has found that there is stiff resistance to government-mandated security. 
On Chicago's southeast side there is nothing to stop somebody in a boat from getting to tankers of sulfur dioxide at the Chemtrade Company. If the tanks were blown-up, Chemtrade's own "Worst Case Scenario" on file with the U.S. government is that 2 and a half million nearby residents could be affected by a toxic shroud. But more than a year after 9/11, the government still has no power to tell Chemtrade that it must secure wide-open public access from the Calumet River...or keep it's front gate locked. Company executives say they are "considering" a security consultant's recommendations that they install riverside fencing and an automatic gate. 
"We have no idea where we are safe. It is hit and miss," said Sen. Jon Corzine, (D)New Jersey. 
This year, New Jersey Senator Jon Corzine tried to pass federal legislation giving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulatory power over chemical plant security. It died after strong lobbying by the chemical and petroleum industries. 
"We disagree with some of the provisions that Sen. Corzine suggested. We felt very strongly that the responsibility in the government should be an organization that has security law enforcement background and Sen. Corzine identified an environment agency, the EPA as the lead agency to develop anti-terrorism regulations we think that belongs with probably the Dept. of Homeland Security," said Chris VandenHeuvel, American Chemistry Council. 
"The chemical industry has just been extraordinarily resistant. They've used their resources and lobbying power I think to tie the whole process of moving forward and protecting the American people. They've subjugated their special interest to the public's interest," said Sen. Corzine. &The chemical and petroleum sectors combined spend more than any other industries lobbying congress...and donate millions of dollars to political parties and candidates including most of the Illinois delegation. 
"It is very difficult for a member of congress to ignore an industry or an interest group that is responsible for tens of thousands a month, to their campaign, to the party. It's impossible to ignore the high priced lobbyists who are representing a multitude of interests, whom you have to deal with on one issue, and the next and the next," said Steve Weiss, Center for Responsive Politics. 
"Whether it's the airline industry , whether it's public advocates, everybody should have a voice obviously here in Washington. What we are using our voice for, is to make sure that the roll of the federal government actually enhances security as much as possible at our facilities, that it puts the right people in charge," said Chris VandenHeuvel, American Chemistry Council. 
Although there are no federal laws requiring anti-terrorist plant security, right after nine-eleven, the chemical industry launched a program to police itself...first ordering member companies to evaluate their own security and fix the problems. 
"These are the chlorine rail cars, this car is hooked up right now..." said Chuck McCallum, Clorox Plant Mgr. 
Clorox in Chicago is among the companies trying to shore up security. The bleach-maker uses railroad tankers full of ammonia. If terrorists attacked here, according to Clorox' own "worst case scenario", a 14-mile cloud of deadly chlorine gas could be released, affecting nearly four million people. Clorox is spending $7 million company-wide on tighter security, including the hiring of a security consultant here in Chicago. 
"We've made it much more difficult to access our plant, particularly around where our railcars might be stored, we've also in addition to extensive training of our employees also employed much stricter access to the site, we've also installed several systems that allow us to monitor our site, respond to changing levels of threats," said Tim Windham, Clorox Manufacturer Dir. But Illinois' largest public interest group contends it's the federal government that should be in charge of anti-terrorism. 
"Leaving homeland security in the hands of the chemical industry, whose track record for self regulation is far from trustworthy to voluntarily protect the lives of millions of Americans at risk, is dangerous," said Ashley Collins, Citizen Action Illinois. 
At Clorox, railcars loaded with deadly ammonia are kept in view right on a public street. Company executives say their security consultant has not recommended storing them inside the plant, out of sight. That consultant has patched-up some gaps below fences that secure the ammonia cars, but not all. 
Goudie: The fence line doesn't come down to the ground. Just to the naked eye, I'm not a security expert, but that would seem to be something that would need to be fixed. 
Windham: I agree. 
Some chemical firms are fortifying security even though they no longer house deadly compounds. 
"Those rail cars are non-hazardous," said Mike Altmyer, Nalco plant manager. 
More than a year ago Chicago's Nalco removed tons of lethal chemicals from the property when it began producing non-toxic silicone-based products. But because terrorists might mistake the operation as a good target, they are increasing plant protection. 
"We feel like we've taken a lot of measures at this point in securing the facility, ok, but we still have actions to go and we realize that and we recognize that," said Mike Altmyer, Nalco plant manager. 
Indeed, the White House Homeland Security Director says any American Industry is vulnerable. 
"I don't think we can afford to forget that Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda have targeted our economy for destruction and if you don't believe me let me quote him: "We must hit the US economy with everything available. We must concentrate on the destruction of the American economy," said Tom Ridge, Homeland Security dir.