U.S. Senate to Hold Chemical Security Hearing

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs will hold a hearing at 9:30am ET on March 3, 2010, to discuss chemical security issues and concerns. The hearing, titled "Chemical Security: Assessing Progress and Charting a Path Forward," will consist of testimony from members of two separate panels. Discussion during the first panel will include testimony from The Honorable Rand Beers, Under Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) National Protection and Programs Directorate; Sue Armstrong, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for DHS's Office of Infrastructure Protection; and The Honorable Peter S. Silva, Assistant Administrator for Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The second panel will consist of a representative from the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW); a representative of the American Chemistry Council; and one from the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA). The Senate has not held a hearing on chemical security since July 2005, when it held a 2-panel hearing regarding security at chemical facilities.

The hearing will come one month after Senators Collins, Pryor, Landrieu, and Voinovich introduced S. 2996, the Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act of 2010, which would authorize an extension for the existing Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) until October 4, 2015. In November, the House of Representatives passed a similar bill, H.R. 2868, which includes provisions collectively for chemical facility security, drinking water facility security, and security at waste water treatment works. S. 2996 and H.R. 2868 would have to be reconciled before either version could become law.

FEMA Publishes Information Collection Request Notices in Federal Register

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) on Wednesday posted two new Information Collection Request (ICR) notices in the Federal Register. The first ICR pertains to the Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP); the second pertains to the Trucking Security Grant Program (TSP). Both are 30-day notices and requests for comments. The original 60-day notices for these ICRs were posted on September 21st, 2009 under slightly different names.

The Freight Rail Security Grant Program ICR addresses the requirement for the submission of Investment Justification information (FEMA Form 089-6) with the grant application. This information is required to demonstrate “how proposed projects address gaps and deficiencies in current programs and capabilities and the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by FEMA." 75 Fed. Reg. 8,389. The data is used in the application evaluation review as part of the ranking process. FEMA estimates that there will be 400 applications requiring this information submission each year. They estimate that this requirement will place an average burden of 24 hours on each applicant.

The Trucking Security Grant Program ICR applies to the submission of Investment Justification Template information (FEMA Form 089-7) as part of the grant application process. This information is used to “evaluate applicants' familiarity with national preparedness architecture and identify how elements of this architecture have been incorporated into regional/State/local planning, operations, and investments." 75 Fed. Reg. 8,385. FEMA estimates that there will be 25 applications requiring this information submission each year. They estimate that this requirement will place an average burden of 5 hours on each applicant.

The comment period on both ICRs ends on March 26th, 2010. Comments should be addressed to the Desk Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and sent via electronic mail to oira.submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395-5806.

DHS Hosts CFATS Update Webinar

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Director of the Infrastructure Security Compliance Division (ISCD) Sue Armstrong on Monday hosted an hour-long public webinar providing an agency update on the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). The webinar began with a brief summary of CFATS, the purpose behind Congressional authority for regulation of chemical facility security, and the current status of CFATS compliance nationwide.

According to Armstrong, more than 7,000 facilities were preliminarily tiered under CFATS and were told to submit a Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA). DHS then received 6,300 SVAs; some facilities modified their Top-Screens and were tiered out of the regulation. DHS continues to review the remaining 2,516 SVAs and to direct some facilities to submit a Site Security Plan (SSP). The agency expects to continue issuing final tiering letters through the summer, with the goal of issuing approximately 500 letters per month.

Aside from the general status report, Armstrong mentioned several specific issues of interest. First, she noted that when reviewing SSPs, DHS is taking into significant consideration the extent to which a facility provides for facility cyber and process control using remote monitoring. Armstrong also noted the emphasis DHS is putting on SSP review of facility outreach programs to local and state first responders. According to Armstrong, SSP review will focus on whether a facility has adopted a cooperative plan or program with local emergency responders.

Regarding facility inspections, Armstrong said that to date, DHS has initiated inspections at two Tier 1 facilities, which DHS will leverage to assess its own assumptions and expectations regarding CFATS facility inspections. DHS continues to amend its own inspection process, but facilities can expect an inspection to take around one week, with two on-the-ground DHS inspectors onsite. Beyond the initial inspection, DHS expects Tier 1 facilities to be inspected annually, Tier 2 facilities to be inspected biannually, and Tier 3 and Tier 4 facilities to be inspected as necessary, in a "prioritized" manner. To date, DHS has hired 142 ISCD personnel and continues to hire and train chemical inspectors. Eventually, DHS expects to open at least ten regional inspection offices.

DHS also emphasized its goal of closing the exemption gap currently provided to facilities regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) as well as to water and wastewater treatment facilities. According to Armstrong, DHS is seeking to establish a Working Group with the U.S. Coast Guard, in order to facilitate CFATS harmonization with MTSA regulations.

Lastly, Armstrong summarized the recent discussion around the applicability of CFATS to gasoline terminals, noting the Top-Screen submissions of several facilities with gasoline and the subsequent filing of a petition regarding gasoline terminal coverage by the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) in May 2009. Armstrong mentioned DHS's publication of a 60-day Request for Comments last month regarding CFATS applicability to gasoline, and reiterated the request for comments by March 16.

2011 Budget Released; Includes One-Year CFATS Extension

Last week, the White House released the 2011 Budget which, among other things, authorizes a second one-year extension of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), originally authorized in Section 550 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007 [Pub. L. 109-295]. CFATS was set to sunset in October 2009, but received an initial one-year extension late last year in the 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act [Pub. L. 111-83]. The 2011 Budget Justifications for the Department of Homeland Security state:

Section 550(b) of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 109–295; 6 U.S.C. 121 note), as amended by section 550 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–83), is further amended by striking ["three years after the date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting] "on October 4, 2010'' and inserting "on October 4, 2011".

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have made recent movement towards passing long-term chemical facility security legislation. The House passed H.R. 2868 in November, which contains provisions for chemical facility security, drinking water facility security, and security at waste water treatment works. Last week, members of the Senate introduced a bill that would extend the 2007 Appropriations Act's authorization of CFATS until October 4, 2015. While the 2011 Budget CFATS extension clause would not preclude Congressional action towards permanent legislation, it would allow current CFATS regulatory movement by DHS to continue until the end of 2011.

Senators Introduce CFATS Extension Bill

U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) on Thursday introduced legislation that would, among other things, extend the current authorization for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) until October 4, 2015. According to Collins and the bill's three cosponsors (Senators Pryor (D-AR), Landrieu (D-LA), and Voinovich (R-OH), S. 2996, the Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act of 2010, the purpose of the bill is to provide "the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with sufficient time to fully implement the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards program."

In addition to extending CFATS, the bill proposes two additional programs that would enhance chemical facility security: the Chemical Security Training Program and the Chemical Security Exercise Program. Both would be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The training program would, among other things, include training and education for personnel that live and work in neighborhoods surrounding high-risk chemical facilities. The exercise program would establish a method to provide for testing and evaluating the capabilities of stakeholders to "prevent, prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism."

In November, the House of Representatives passed a similar bill. H.R. 2868 includes provisions for chemical facility security, drinking water facility security, and security at waste water treatment works. The bill provides for comprehensive chemical security provisions at all three types of facilities while also addressing the unique security requirements for the water facilities. S. 2996 and H.R. 2868 would have to be reconciled before either version could become law.

PHMSA Proposes Increase in Hazmat Registration Fee

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on Tuesday published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register that would significantly increase the registration fees for hazardous materials (hazmat) shippers and transporters. The NPRM, published at 75 Fed. Reg. 5258-61, would increase fees pursuant to the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grants program.

Under the proposed rule, PHMSA would keep the current registration fee of $250 per year for small businesses and non-profit organizations. The increase would apply to all other registrants, increasing the current fee of $975 to $2,975. As proposed, these fee increases would become effective for the 2010-11 registration year. For those organizations that have pre-paid the existing fee as part of a multi-year registration will be required to make up the difference between the two rates to maintain an effective registration for that period.

The public comment period for the NPRM ends on March 4th, 2010. PHMSA is accepting electronic comment submissions via the Federal eRulemaking Portal using docket number PHMSA-2009-0201 (HM-208H).

Indiana House Passes Workplace Firearm Possession Bill Exempting CFATS and MTSA Facilities

The Indiana House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would make it illegal to restrict or prohibit the possession, transportation, or storage of firearms (including in locked employee vehicles) at the workplace. H.R. 1065, which was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources earlier this month, would amend Title 10, Article 14, Chapter 3 of the Indiana Code to disallow the restriction of firearm storage in employee vehicles parked on company property. Senate Bill 25, providing for similar measures, was passed by the state Senate on Monday; the two will have to be reconciled before becoming law.

As passed by the House, however, several exemptions apply. Most notably, the law would not apply to facilities regulated by the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) or the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). That is, it would not authorize the possession, transportation, storage, or use of firearms at CFATS- or MTSA-regulated facilities, even in locked employee vehicles. The Senate version lacks this explicit exemption.

DHS Secretary Napolitano Attends Meeting to Discuss International Aviation Security Standards

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano this week met with members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as leaders from twenty international airlines to discuss improvements in international aviation security. Secretary Napolitano outlined four general areas in which international public-private collaboration would help improve efforts to secure aviation systems: improving information collection and analysis; increasing information sharing and collaboration in passenger vetting; enhancing international aviation security standards; and deploying new airport screening technologies.

This week's meetings are the first in a series of planned global meetings to discuss a collaborative effort to implement new international aviation security standards and procedures. While the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must, by law, screen passengers and baggage entering air vessels originating from within the United States, it does not screen passengers or baggage originating abroad. All last point of departure flights to the United States must meet minimum standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as recently enhanced security standards set by TSA. The recent global meetings are an effort to streamline international aviation security standards for all international and domestic flights.

Senator Rockefeller to Markup Cybersecurity Bill

Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) announced last week that he plans on marking up comprehensive cybersecurity legislation introduced last April and redrafted over the summer in order to revive legislation aimed at securing the nation's cyber networks. Rockefeller, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, originally introduced S.773 into the Senate last year, in response to post-9/11 complaints that both the private and public sectors were inadequately securing their cyber infrastructures.

If passed, the bill would create a National Cybersecurity Adviser within the Executive Office who would serve as the head national official for all matters relating to cybersecurity and report directly to the president. In addition, the proposed legislation would call for streamlining of cyber-related government functions, as well as a public-private cybersecurity partnership. The president would have the authority to declare a "cyber security emergency" and direct a national response to such an event.

Cybersecurity has become a key issue of concern in recent months for members of Congress as well as the intelligence community. Last month, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence announced the formation of a cybersecurity task force to evaluate cyber threats against the U.S. In November, the House Committee on Science and Technology passed H.R. 4061, the Cyersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, which would streamline federal investments in cybersecurity research and development as well as improve cybersecurity and technical standards in the workforce and encourage cybersecurity partnerships between the public and private sectors. Late last year, President Obama named Howard Schmidt as the new White House Cybersecurity Coordinator.

DHS To Hold CFATS Webinar

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) on Friday announced that it will hold a webinar on February 22, 2010, from 2pm EST to 3pm EST, providing an update on the status of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Sue Armstrong, Acting IP Deputy Assistant Secretary, will provide a CFATS activity and implementation update regarding tools and compliance assistance being developed by DHS. Click here to register for the webinar.