Senate Homeland Security Committee Approves Three-Year CFATS Extension

In late June, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committe voted 8 to 2 to approve the Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act (S. 473), spearheaded by Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME). The legislation would extend the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) until October 2015.

This is the third bipartisan chemical security bill to be approved by its respective committee this Congress.

“SOCMA thanks Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman and Ranking Member Susan Collins for their many efforts in this Congress and in previous ones to achieve this sensitive balance in a fair and bipartisan manner,” said SOCMA President and CEO Lawrence D. Sloan.

“For the past two years, SOCMA has worked closely with the Committee's majority and minority staff to promote passage of reauthorizing legislation that preserves the efforts made thus far by the Homeland Security Department to implement CFATS as well as the investments made by the chemical industry to reach compliance,” Sloan added.

Included in the bill were provisions added during the committee’s consideration of similar legislation (also sponsored by Collins) last Congress in an effort to garner bipartisan support for its approval. These include voluntary technical assistance to facilities in risk reduction and emergency response training and exercise programs.

According to GcvTrack, the bill is still waiting on a vote from the full Senate.

Featured

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.