GAO: Inland chemical plants are also targets
The U.S. government has not comprehensively assessed the chemical industry’s vulnerability to terrorist attacks, John B. Stephenson, director of national resources and environment for the U.S. General Accounting Office, testified before the House Committee on Government Reform’s Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations.
According to “accidental toxic release worse-case scenarios, 123 chemical facilities located throughout the nation could each expose more than one million people in the surrounding areas if a toxic release occurred,” Stephenson said.
Unlike water treatment and nuclear power facilities, inland chemical plants “are not subject to any federal requirements to assess and address security vulnerabilities,” he explained. Only those plants located adjacent to waterways have to prepare and submit security plans.
The GAO urged that inland chemical facilities also be required to assess their exposure to terrorist threats.