News
IME Applauds Senate Bill Reauthorizing DHS Chemical Security Program that Addresses Industry Concern of Duplicative Regulation
09/07/2018
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) introduced draft legislation reauthorizing the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. Importantly, the legislation addresses the concerns of the explosives industry that materials effectively regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), were also included in the CFATS program, causing blatant and burdensome duplicative regulation.
Seth Hobby, Chairman of IME’s Board of Governors, stated, “The commercial explosives industry is cognizant of the need for effective regulation and embraces working with lawmakers to ensure that regulations are appropriate, practical, and successful in achieving the goals of safety and security. When different agencies implement duplicative regulations to achieve the same purpose, the result is unnecessary cost and waste of resources at all levels. Consequently, we commend Senator Johnson for listening, understanding, and proposing a workable solution to generate efficiency and reduce unnecessary burdens on industry and government agencies.”
Deb Satkowiak, President of IME, added, “IME recognizes the importance of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) focusing on security at high-risk chemical facilities through the CFATS program. However, layering the program across facilities already regulated by ATF has imposed significant costs that impact jobs and industry investment, with no discernible increase in security.”
Mitch Green, Chairman of IME’s Government Affairs Committee, noted, “Our members identified duplicative CFATS regulations as a top legislative concern. I am pleased that the IME has been part of the education process to support Members of Congress in their aim to eliminate redundant regulatory measures. IME members and staff remain ready to work with Senator Johnson to get this bill passed.”
IME testified at the June 12, 2018 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Roundtable - Examing the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program. IME also provided a statement for the record to the House Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee hearing on Industry Views of the CFATS program on February 15, 2018. Additionally, the issue was raised by IME members with Members of Congress during both the 2017 and 2018 IME spring meeting day on the Hill.
Founded in 1913, IME is the safety & security association for the commercial explosives industry in the U.S. IME represents manufacturers of commercial explosives and other companies that distribute explosives or provide related services. Commercial explosives are used in every state and are distributed worldwide. The ability to manufacture and distribute these products safely and securely is critical to this industry and to the mining, construction, and oil & gas industries that use our products. IME’s Safety Library Publications cover all aspects related to the safe and secure manufacture, transport, storage, use and disposal of commercial explosives and are available for free via our website.
More information on IME can be found at www.ime.org.
Contact: John Boling September 5, 2018
IME Vice President of Government Affairs www.ime.org
(703) 626-0006