Following a scathing report on CBS' "60 Minutes," in which correspondent Steve Kroft reported that chemical plants are still not subject to federal regulations when it comes to security, and proved it by walking around unchallenged through a chemical plant. The chemical industry has responded that, perhaps, federal legislation is needed to regulate security after all.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC), a group that represents the largest chemical manufacturers, fought hard against proposed federal security regulations for the industry, and insisted voluntary measures would be sufficient. Now, they admit that security lapses at chemical facilities are unacceptable.

The ACC claims that they have urged Congress to pass legislation establishing a national program requiring chemical facilities to enhance security. However, those statements differ from what Jon Corzine, Senator from N.J., remembers.

Senator Corzine fought long and hard to pass a measure he proposed immediately after 9/11 that would have put the federal government in charge of chemical plant security. However, Senator Corzine now admits he under-estimated the influence the chemical industry could exert.

"My bill was crushed by the American Chemistry Council (ACC). It was crushed by those who were looking after their private interests and not the public interests," said Senator Corzine.

See full story by Sandy Smith (ssmith@penton.com) at http://www.occupationalhazards.com/full_story.php?WID=10946.