Collins says chemical facility regulations needed

Collins says chemical facility regulations needed    Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she planned to introduce legislation in the fall to address loopholes in security at U.S. chemical plants. Federal security regulations do not cover most chemical facilities.
   Collins, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, made the announcement after the last in a series of hearings on protecting chemical sites from terrorist attack.
   “Voluntary measures and a patchwork of state laws, while helpful, are not enough. Federal regulation is clearly necessary to ensure adequate and consistent security measures to protect both our communities and an industry that is vital to the American economy,” Collins said.
   The federal government estimates there are 15,000 facilities that produce, store or use large quantities of hazardous materials.