Fertilizer storage safety bill faces long odds in Texas

摘要

The head of Texas' House Homeland Security Committee called for tighter oversight of ammonium nitrate storage facilities yesterday, but the proposal is unlikely to advance in the state Legislature because of opposition from conservative lawmakers. State Rep. Joe Pickett (D) said cracking down on the storage plants was the only way to prevent another disaster like the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, last year. "Over-regulation or no regulation? If that's the choice, I'll take my chances," Pickett said. Pickett said he would file a bill in November to require ammonium nitrate storage facilities to meet new fire protection standards and pay fines if they fail to comply.