The Hill – Thompson largely wrong on chemical plant safety
By Bill Allmond, vice president, Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, Washington
(Regarding op-ed, “Bill would protect chemical plants,” by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in “Special Report: Homeland Security,” Oct. 28.) We agree with Rep. Thompson that now is time to pass a permanent chemical security law that continues to build on the collaborative relationship between the Department of Homeland Security and our industry to protect against terrorism.
However, DHS’s mandate is to secure the assets at these facilities, not substitute or replace them, as the congressman suggests. If proponents for government-mandated product substitution get their way, a shortage or elimination of common products, like ibuprofen, could become reality.
Switching to alternative substances would also increase our reliance on foreign-made drugs, as American companies become barred from manufacturing pharmaceutical ingredients that customers will still demand. Such a result would actually make the U.S. much less safe and secure, and cost American jobs. Suddenly, this legislation becomes a consumer and job safety issue as well.
Read more at The Hill
10/29/9
Magnolia Tribune
