Did you know that an attack on one U.S. chemical plants could kill thousands of people, but despite the warnings, nothing has been done to prevent such a disaster? According to the EPA, there are about 100 chemical plants in the U.S. that each threaten a million or more people! Homeland Security has identified 7,000 U.S. chemical plants as “high risk.”
Currently, legislation is pending in Congress that would protect Americans by requiring more widespread use of safer chemicals or processes by chemical plants.
We just learned that the House Homeland Security Committee will vote on this chemical security legislation on Thursday, June 18th.
We need your help before the vote. Please take a minute to urge members of the Homeland Security Committee to support a strong bill and oppose any weakening amendments.
According to the EPA, 300 chemical plants in the U.S. put over 100 million Americans at risk. An attack or accident at just one of them could kill or injure thousands of people. But there are safer chemicals or processes available for each of these risks. More than 200 chemical plants have converted to safer chemicals and processes since the 9/11 attacks. The Washington, DC sewage treatment plant switched from using chlorine gas to a safer chemical within 90 days after 9/11.
Here is how you can help:
1) IDENTIFY THE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE MEMBER FROM YOUR STATE. For the names of Committee members in your state go to: http://homeland.house.gov/
2) CALL THE CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD AT (202) 225-3121 and urge them to make "The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009" strong and oppose all attempts to weaken it.
If you have time, tell us how your call went by posting a comment on my blog.
On October 10, 2008 a coalition of more than 30 chemical worker unions, public health groups, environmental groups (including Greenpeace), and government reform groups sent a letter to Congress urging them to pass a bill similar to H.R. 5577 before the temporary law expires next October.
