Kerry pushes increasing security at chemical plants

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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry said he will make maximum-security protection at urban chemical plants mandatory and remove the burden from mayors to stop potential terrorist attacks -- something that the Bush administration has failed to do.

"It's wrong to ask our mayors to prevent and protect us in the war on terror and then stick you with the bill," Mr. Kerry said.

Mr. Kerry, in a speech before the National Conference of Black Mayors in Philadelphia, introduced a plan to protect various plants throughout the country and criticized President Bush for not forcing chemical companies to protect volatile compounds against theft from terrorists or direct attacks.

He said the Bush administration has scoffed at the recommendations made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Homeland Security Department to develop security protocols for nearly 123 high-profile targets that could kill a million or more people if an explosion occurred.

"It's nearly 21/2 years after 9/11 -- and the administration is still dragging its heels and we're still fighting to secure chemical plants where a terrorist attack could be devastating," the Massachusetts senator said.

He said the administration's policy was tough in the beginning, but softened with every dollar the chemical lobby gave to the Bush campaign. Mr. Kerry added that his plan builds on the Chemical Security Act offered in 2001 by Sen. Jon Corzine, New Jersey Democrat.

That plan identifies chemical plants at which a terrorist attack could cause massive loss of life; requires a security force, fencing and surveillance around the plants; and mandates that the plants use less-dangerous chemicals and technologies whenever practicable.

Chemical companies also would be required to submit a plan that assesses their plant's vulnerabilities to Homeland Security or the EPA. Government enforcement would only come into play if the industry fails to move first, Mr. Kerry said.

Sen. Zell Miller, Georgia Democrat, who is supporting Mr. Bush, said the Kerry plan is nothing but a carbon copy of the plan that the president already has called on Congress to draft.

"I couldn't let this go by without having something to say. Every part of the proposal is in the president's 2003 report; I don't know if Mr. Kerry realizes he is taking the president's ideas or not, but this certainly goes to the inadequacy his leadership," he said.

Mr. Miller said throughout his time in the Senate and now in the campaign, Mr. Kerry has blocked the president's most vital proposals while setting aside others for his own purposes and presenting them as if they were his.

Rep. Jim Turner, Texas Democrat, said despite any plans that Mr. Bush has proposed, there has been no movement in the House to deal with the issue.

"We are vulnerable in this area, and it is inexcusable to see no action -- there has not even been one committee hearing -- on chemical plant security," he said.

Mr. Turner agreed with Mr. Kerry that federal government has placed too much of the burden on mayors. He said it can easily cost a major city millions of dollars in police overtime each time the country goes on heightened-alert status.

He said there is a provision that calls for cities to be reimbursed by the federal government for overtime and other costs each time that the threat level increases.