Obama Orders Tighter Rules on Fertilizer Plants
This article is for subscribers only.
President Barack Obama ordered the drafting of tighter rules for the handling and storage of ammonium nitrate, the chemical responsible for a deadly explosion in April at a Texas fertilizer plant, as part of a plan to improve safety.
Explosions such as the one that killed at least 14 people in West, Texas, are “tragic reminders that the handling and storage of chemicals present serious risks that must be addressed,” according to a White House fact sheet issued today along with an executive order. The announcement came as the administration faces growing pressure from lawmakers of both parties and safety advocates to beef up federal oversight of chemical facilities, refineries and fertilizer depots.