Summary

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program sets risk-based performance standards for high-risk chemical facilities. A number of fertilizer production and storage facilities meet the criteria established for compliance with CFATS. TFI supports reauthorization of this program in its current form.

Background

 Legislation that will extend CFATS once its current authorization expires is advancing in both the House and Senate. 

Two bills that would extend the program for seven years have been passed by separate House Committees. Congressman Lungren introduced H.R. 901, which has been considered by the Homeland Security Committee. Congressman Murphy introduced H.R. 908, has advanced through the Energy and Commerce Committee.  The next step is for House Leadership to determine which of these bills to bring to the House floor for consideration by the full chamber.

In the Senate, Senator Collins introduced a bipartisan bill (S.473) that grants a three-year extension of the current CFATS program. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security approved this bill without amendment and it is now waiting for Senate Leadership to bring it before the full Senate.