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Facility Security
What's New
SECRETARY CHERTOFF DEFINES KEY ISSUES FOR 2008
In a year-end address given at the Woodrow Wilson Institute in Washington, D.C., this week, Homeland Security Michael Chertoff described what he said are his department’s “overarching goals – “keeping dangerous people from entering the country; keeping dangerous goods from entering the county; protecting the critical infrastructure on which our lives and our economy depend; strengthening emergency response and building a culture of preparedness; and finally, improving the department's management.” He said four issues will “demand our sustained attention in 2008 and likely beyond: immigration and border security; secure identification; cyber security; and the continuation of our efforts to institutionalize the department's functions; and more than that, to make sure this country is philosophically and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead, with respect to these threats that we face.” http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/speeches/sp_1197513975365.shtm
DON’T EXPECT TOP-SCREEN EXTENSION ON FUELS, SAYS DHS
NPRA, the American Petroleum Institute, and the Independent Liquid Terminals Association have asked DHS to provide clarification regarding the reporting and modeling of chemicals of interest with respect to fuels mixtures under the CFATS rule. The associations emphasized that there was no opportunity to comment on these provisions before they were finalized last month. They therefore asked DHS to extend by 60 days the time in which fuel storage facilities must submit Top-Screen evaluations under CFATS. The associations pointed out that DHS has yet to work out several questions about the application of the program and identify an accurate and appropriate modeling tool for fuels mixtures. In a preliminary response, however, DHS tells us that, while no formal decision has been made, the request is not likely to be granted. The associations are considering their next move in this effort.
LAWMAKERS DRAFTING CHEM FACILITY SECURITY LEGISLATION FOR 2009
Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) of the House Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection of the Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing on December 12 on the subject of draft chemical facility security legislation. Chairwoman Jackson-Lee wants new chemical facility security legislation that would require more stringent provisions than the current CFATS program which is set to expire in October of 2009. In the course of the hearing she indicated it is not her intent that new chemical security legislation would go into effect until the expiration of the current program. The hearing, as well as copies of the written testimony submitted by the witnesses, are available at http://homeland.house.gov/hearings/index.asp?ID=108
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