House Committee on Homeland Security Chemical Facility Security Hearing

On February 11, 2011, the House Committee on Homeland Security held its first hearing on chemical security for 2011, entitled “Preventing Chemical Terrorism: Building A Foundation of Security At Our Nation’s Chemical Facilities.” Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary Rand Biers provided an update on the CFATS implementation process:

• Over 39,000 Top-Screens reviewed;
• Over 7,000 preliminary high-risk designations;
• Over 6,200 Security Vulnerability Assessments reviewed;
• Currently 4,755 covered facilities;
• Currently 4,094 final high-risk designations;
• Over 4,000 Site Security Plans (and Alternate Security Plans) submitted;
• 175 Pre-Authorization Inspections completed; and
• 65 Administrative Orders issued.

Other witnesses testifying at the hearing included:

• Mr. Timothy J. Scott, Chief Security Officer & Global Director of Emergency Services & Security, Dow Chemical Company;
• Dr. M. Sam Mannan, PhD, PE, CSP, Director, Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Chemical Engineering Department, Texas A&M University; and
• Mr. George Hawkins, General Manager, D.C. Water

Please visit the House Committee on Homeland Security to view their written statements.

First Congressional Hearing on Chemical Security of 2011

The House Committee on Homeland Security will be holding a hearing on chemical security on Friday, February 11, 2011. The hearing, titled “Preventing Chemical Terrorism: Building A Foundation of Security At Our Nation’s Chemical Facilities,” is the first congressional hearing on chemical security for the 112th Congress. For additional information on the hearing, please visit the House Committee on Homeland Security.