A new White House directive makes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the lead federal agency for overseeing security at chemical plants, a move that officially removes EPA from supervising the industry's security efforts. The shift in chemical security responsibilities had been anticipated for months, as environmentalists have been pushing Congress and the Bush administration to reserve a role for EPA in ensuring chemical plant security.
The White House, however, appears to have sided with industry officials who argue DHS should not be required to coordinate chemical sector security with EPA. It should be noted the White House directive does divide the responsibility for hazardous material transportation between DOT and DHS.