The House Energy Subcmte. on the Environment heard about the Dept. of Homeland Security's progress in implementing a security program for high-risk chemical facilities.
Under the guidelines of the Congress-mandated Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program, or CFATS, DHS has issued a rule requiring certain chemical facilities to prepare Security Vulnerability Assessments, which identify on-site security risks. The plants are also required to implement a Site Security Plan to minimize the risks uncovered.
Fox News reported in late December that the CFATS program may be in jeopardy. Based on a leaked DHS internal review, the news report claimed that unqualified investigators have misled program administrators about the number of security assessments under review.
Witness included Rand Beers, Undersecretary of Homeland Security, National Protection and Programs Directorate, and Penny J. Anderson, director, Infrastructure Security Compliance Division, Office of Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security.