WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy voted today to secure our nation’s chemical plants and water facilities against terrorist attacks and other threats to our national security.  The Chemical and Water Security Act will make the Chemical Facility Anti-terrorism Standards (CFATS) permanent which will close a critical security gap identified by the Bush and Obama administration.

“This bill is an important step for our national security.  Americans rely on our water treatment facilities to deliver clean, safe water and we need to ensure that America’s enemies do not take advantage of the vulnerability of these and other facilities, and use them to hurt our citizens,” said Kilroy. “There are numerous chemical plants and water facilities in America that are vulnerable to terrorist attacks and now Americans can be assured that they will be better protected against attacks.”

The legislation not only makes permanent the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) but improves the program by making facilities analyze how they can reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack (IST) through the use of available, cost-effective, safer and more secure chemicals and processes that are already employed by some water treatment plants, power plants, oil refineries and other manufacturers.

The bill also enhances accountability by allowing citizens to petition for enforcement at chemical facilities and permitting citizen suits against the Department of Homeland Security and government entities to ensure enforcement.  It also permits states to adopt additional security measures that they deem necessary to ensure that facilities within their jurisdiction are protected from terrorists.

-30-