July 7, 2023

Dear Ohio Congressional Member:

The Ohio Chemistry Technology Council (OCTC) would like to respectfully request your support for legislation to reauthorize the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) before the program expires on July 27^th, 2023. This program is vital to national security and should not be allowed to expire.

OCTC is the leading advocate for Ohio’s chemistry industry. Ohio is the third largest chemical manufacturing state in the United States. The chemistry industry in Ohio employs over 40,000 people, pays an average wage of over $100,000, and generates more than $479 million in state and $870 million in federal taxes each year.

OCTC is committed to protecting our industry, workers and communities, which is why we are urging Congress to pass a long-term authorization of this critical program as soon as possible. Securing the future of CFATS will help provide regulatory stability and certainty needed for companies to continue to make sound financial decisions and capital investments in safeguarding their facilities.

CFATS provides a strong yet flexible approach by setting a consistent national standard. Under CFATS, companies must develop and submit security plans to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for approval. The program establishes practical security performance standards to address a wide range of potential threat scenarios, including a physical attack, theft and diversion, and cyberattacks. The standards allow facilities to tailor their approach to address unique security risks and they are adaptable to help address emerging threats.

CFATS has a solid 15-year regulatory history, and the program has delivered solid results. According to a recent analysis by the DHS, security measures at CFATS regulated facilities have increased by 60%. As a result, communities across our state are safer.

Our members have been supportive of CFATS since the program was first authorized. CFATS has been reauthorized by Congress four times with strong bipartisan support and we believe that this time should be no different. Recently, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Carper (D-DE), and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced bipartisan legislation to extend this critical program. We urge you to work with your colleagues to support a long-term reauthorization for CFATS.  Thank you for your consideration and please let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jenn Klein

President

Ohio Chemistry Technology Council