Rep. Meehan , who introduced the bill , argued that " the fertilizer plant explosion in West , Texas less than a year ago tragically demonstrated the potential for catastrophe at one of our country 's thousands of chemical facilities . The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program is an important part of ensuring these facilities take reasonable precautions to protect against terrorist attack . " The Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) supported the bill , arguing that " CFATS is making the Nation more secure by reducing the risks associated with our Nation ’s chemical infrastructure . " The DHS also argued that the reauthorization was necessary because " uncertainty about the future of CFATS also has provided an incentive for potentially regulated facilities storing large quantities of dangerous chemicals to ignore their obligations under CFATS in hopes that the program will be allowed to sunset . " The Fertilizer Institute supported the bill , arguing that it would allow the DHS to " effectively establish programs and make necessary changes to existing ones without worrying about whether or not the resources to administer them will be available in the future . The legislation would allow industry to be able to plan for investments with the certainty of knowing the program will be in place . " The National Association of Chemical Distributors supported the bill , arguing that it was important to reauthorize the program for two years to avoid situations like the one resulting from the United States federal government shutdown of 2013 , when the law lapsed
fertilizer plant explosion in West , Texas
West Fertilizer Company explosion
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014