The Wayne, Michigan-based EQ Industrial Services processes hazardous and nonhazardous waste, according to its Web site. On March 31, the plant was fined for six safety violations, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Web site.It was required to pay a fine of $32,000 for failing to "minimize the possibility of a sudden or nonsudden release of hazardous waste constituents to air, soil or surface water which could threaten human health or the environment."
This incident, although thankfully ending with no casualties, highlights the potential vulnerability of America's chemical plants to accident or terrorism. So, where has George Allen been on ensuring that these types of chemical clouds don't float over OUR homes?
Item 1: In 2003, Allen voted against an amendment that would have provided $80 million for the Office of the Undersecretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection to conduct chemical facility security assessments.
Item 2: In 2004, George Allen voted to kill an amendment that would have increased funding by $70 million for enhancing security around chemical facilities, to be offset by a reduction in the human resources.
As I said, there's a "dark cloud" over George Allen's record on preventing chemical plant accidents and/or security breaches. Thank you, George Allen!
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
We are also at greater risk of environmental catastrophe because of the corporate giveaways and non-enforcement of safety and environmental regulations under the current administration, and their friends in state governments.
I think that the danger of terrorism is an acute risk, but the problem of negligence is chronic- and more likely to kill us in the long run. George Allen doesn't have a good record on environmental regulation, and it puts us at risk.
Check out this site to see what sort of pollution affects your area (by zip code): www.scorecard.com