Statement

ACC Applauds Federal Efforts to Enhance Security of Chemical Shipments By Rail

ARLINGTON, VA (November 13, 2008) – Today, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced regulations aimed at strengthening the security of the America’s freight and passenger rail systems and reducing the risk associated with the transportation of security-sensitive materials.  ACC’s President & CEO, Cal Dooley issued the following statement:

“We believe these new security regulations will build upon the significant efforts already undertaken by our member companies to protect chemical shipments and the nation.  Since the nation’s economy relies on chemicals to make the products essential to virtually every aspect of our lives, we must continue to enhance the safe and secure shipment of those materials by rail.

“Going forward, we will continue to be a strong advocate for federal security regulations that take a common sense approach to enhancing security without impeding the flow of these critical materials that are essential for the production of life saving medications, body armor used by our military and law enforcement officers, de-icing fluids for airplanes, energy saving solar panels, and so much more.”

ACC represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry and 90 percent of the productive capacity for basic industrial chemicals in the United States.  The business of chemistry is a $664 billion a year high-tech industry and one of the largest and most globally competitive exporting sectors in the U.S., with exports totaling over $153 billion in 2006.  U.S. chemicals exports support 227,000 of the nearly one million American jobs provided by the chemical industry.

Learn more about rail transportation safety.
Learn more about security.