TX officials aim to see if fertilizer plants located near schools

[white cloud]

Two months after the explosion at a fertilizer facility in West, Texas, state officials told lawmakers this week they are not clear on how many fertilizer production sites in states are located near residential centers. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy testified before the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.

Concerns were raised after the blast in West, Texas, when schools, homes, apartments and a senior living center located close to the plant were severely damaged. Aerial photographs of the plant and nearby buildings showed residential centers and a high school within blocks of the fertilizer facility. Residents raised questions as to why these residential areas were allowed to be built so close to the facility.

McCraw and Connealy said there are 16 fertilizer production sites in Texas similar to the facility that had the explosion. Other state officials said 129 facilities store at least 5 tons of ammonium nitrate and other potentially explosive materials. Sixteen of those were fertilizer-mixing facilities like West Fertilizer Co.

The hearing was the second of its kind since the April 17 explosion.
http://www.agprofessional.com/news/Officials-aim-to-see-if-fertilizer-plants-located-near-schools-212216081.html

[rdharma]

1. Better late than never ......... I guess!

[rdharma]

2. Uh...... NO!

"Also during the hearing, the committee drafted a letter to FEMA asking it to reconsider its decision to not provide additional money to help build the West, Texas, community."

Better send that letter to Gov. Perry and the State of Texas!

[kestrel91316]

3. I thought Texas hated FEMA. Why do they want money from them??

[Ilsa]

4. Good lord, don't the damn fertilizer plants

Know how close they are to residential centers and schools? Can't they cooperate, save the state a few bucks, and call in if they are NOT located near homes, schools, etc? Even this simple process of elimination will help the state zoom in on potential problem areas.

But I guess the companies/owners would have to have morals to do that.

[DhhD]

5. If they disclose their liabilities, then their insurance cost would rise dramatically.

Some plants may have no insurance.

[Ilsa]

6. Okay, is there a hotline for citizens to

call in locations on the QT?

[Downwinder]

7. It is not the State that needs to know. It is the local First Responders.

[rdharma]

8. Aren't there zoning laws in Texas that prevent this shit?

No regulation?