7,000 Sites Deemed Chemical Terror Targets

(AP)  The federal government will tell 7,000 businesses next week that they are considered high risk-terrorist targets because they house large amounts of chemicals.

The sites - which range from major chemical plants to universities, food processing centers and hospitals - will need to complete a vulnerability assessment so the government can decide how to regulate their security measures in the future.

U.S. intelligence officials say terrorist organizations, including al Qaeda, favor chemical attack methods because of the severe consequences they can inflict.

"I'm trying to complicate these guys' lives," said Bob Stephan, assistant secretary of infrastructure protection at the Homeland Security Department.

Imposing varying security measures at sites across the country not only secures the materials inside the sites, but it creates a more difficult operation for the terrorists, he indicated.

"This is never going to be an impregnable target set, but I want to introduce enough complexity into the mix that al Qaeda's going to go somewhere else," Stephan told reporters Friday.

Earlier this year, 32,000 businesses with large amounts of chemicals had to complete an online survey that the Homeland Security Department used to determine which facilities' security measures should be regulated. The list was pared down to 7,000. These businesses will go through another vulnerability assessment, and the department will place them into four categories, based on the risk they face.

Homeland security inspectors will eventually visit the highest risk facilities each year to make sure they are complying with enhanced security measures. If these sites do not comply, they could face hefty fines and could ultimately be shut down until they meet federal security standards. As the department considers these 7,000 sites, it also will look at physical security; cyber security; insider threat potential; how hazardous a chemical release could be to the nearby communities; how dangerous the chemicals are if they are mixed with water; and whether the chemicals could be easily stolen from the sites and used to kill.

The list of the 7,000 sites will not be publicly released because of security reasons, the department said.

Congress gave the department the authority to regulate certain chemicals after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

[erasmus81]

Posted by psy_war at 06:52 PM : Jun 21, 2008

I understand and agree with what you have said, but there hasn''t been another incident since 9/11, so I am thinking that you guys either have horseshoes up your a-s-s (excuse me), or he''s been doing something right.:)

[9SLING]

Its funny watch both sides try to hash this out. Guys, the islamic extremists do want to take us. Yes the current Admin is taking advantage of this for political and financial pursuits and thats unfortunate. People here call this terrorism but the other side calls it a religious/idealogical war - which is what it really is. Don''t loose sight of things and let this turn into something that it''s not. These things will come to pass no matter who is in office. We are a hated people indeed. And we are hated for what we are currently loosing which is our fortunes and our freedom.

[ioweign]

WE ARE AT WAR...

Posted by guadalcanal3 at 07:09 PM : Jun 20, 2008


Well, we have to be - Georgie isn''t playing golf...poor baby...

[uscitizenvet]

HIP-HIP-HOORAY, for once they got it right. I''m surprised they didn''t print the entire list and location of the 7,000 sites.
The list of the 7,000 sites will not be publicly released because of security reasons, the department said.

[erasmus81]

If Bush wasn''t doing his job, wouldn''t you think there would have been another incident by now?

[haoli25]

I thought they only ran the stories on FOX. They are the only ones that believe ''the sky is falling'' Bush administration c r a p.

[wdrussell1]

Don''t bother the administration with trivial matters.
Theyare too busy investigating Code Pink and Raging Grannies.

[liberalme]

I think what angers me the most is the fact that these people still think Americans gullible to their propaganda. They can convince perhaps 30% at best, the rest of us have done our homework.

Washington---Americans aren''t stupid, world leaders are on to Bush--what do you think you can get away with?

[liberalme]

Wouldn''t be such a big problem if money had been spent on securing our boarders instead of invading an unarmed country.

This is just another scare tactic, from now to November, Bush will try anything to extend his reign.

Another attack before Nov would be planned and carried out at the hands of our leaders in Washington.

[tootall10142]

They are going to check these sites once a year,that only gives the terriorist 11 more months to implement a plan.way to go HLS sounds like a plan we all might not live with.