Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act, introduced by Congresswoman Johnson in June, part of passed legislation

Washington, DC – The House today passed H.R. 2868, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009, which will make the country’s drinking and wastewater facilities and approximately 6,000 high-risk chemical facilities safer.  The bill passed the House by a vote of 230-193.  Title III of the bill, the Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act of 2009, was originally introduced as a stand-alone bill by Congresswoman Johnson on June 16.

The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act makes the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) permanent and mandates that chemical plants analyze how they can reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack through the use of available, cost-effective and safer chemicals and processes.  It also covers drinking water and wastewater facilities, which often use and store large volumes of chemicals, for the first time.

“The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act will make communities throughout the United States safer,” Congresswoman Johnson said.  “With passage of this bill, the House makes it clear that the protection of critical infrastructure is a national priority.  Wastewater treatment works, such as sanitary and storm sewers, run near or beneath buildings and roads in major cities and small communities, and they run close to many communication and transportation networks.  To keep Americans safe, we need to ensure that these systems are secure, and this bill will help us meet that goal.”

Under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act, states and localities can adopt additional safety and security measures if they determine they are warranted.  The bill also requires that employees of high-risk chemical facilities be subject to background checks, including criminal history, immigration status and terrorist watch list checks.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.