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U.S. Response: U.S., Industry Representatives Meet to Discuss Chemical Plant Security More than 400 U.S. and industry chemical and transportation security experts met yesterday in Philadelphia for the start of a three-day “summit” on improving security at U.S. chemical plants, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (see GSN, May 13). “Let me be very, very clear. If we do not talk about the actions we are taking, and publicly illustrate our commitment, then we will allow our detractors to attack this industry and erode the effectiveness of our efforts,” Greg Lebedev, chief of the American Chemistry Council, said during his keynote address. Representatives from the U.S. Homeland Security Department urged chemical companies to make plant security improvements a higher priority. “You and your employees must understand what’s at stake,” said Sally Canfield, a Homeland Security policy director. “That’s half the battle. Too many companies believe security is a low priority, if it’s a priority to them at all,” Canfield said. During the first day of the summit, many chemical industry executives agreed that many of the largest — and potentially most dangerous — chemical plants lacked intensive security measures, such as armed guards, the Tribune-Review reported. Industry executives said, however, that they have made some improvements in protecting both plant workers and area residents. “The chemical industry recognizes it has a responsibility,” said Joseph Acker, president of the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. “We know we have to act quickly and we’ve come a long way,” Acker said (Carl Prine, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 18).
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