http://www.statesman.com/news/news/opinion/strengthen-oversight-of-fertilizer-plants/nXXkw/

Improve Oversight of Fertilizer Plants

Thursday, April 25, 2013

 This week on April 17^th, the article “Improve Oversight of Fertilizer Plant"  appearing in the Austin  American Statesman  definitely drew my attention, like many other people who wanted to know about  the big tragedy overwhelming the media. We mourn the miserable tragedy that killed 14 people, including 10 volunteer firefighters in West, Texas. The accident, the explosion of the fertilizer plant, left us in shock. It is too much sadness to describe with any words. While I read this article, I really could understand why such a big tragedy happened, as the author gave a lot of thorough information.

 I agree that the explosion might not have been totally preventable, but there must be greater regulation imposed on dangerous chemical storage plants in our state. Perry wants to promote new businesses moving to Texas while relaxing the regulations on industry, but the cost is too great for our residents. This plant has been cited numerous times in the past for various violations, and yet was allowed to keep operating without any serious penalties or fines. We must do more to protect our citizens from these types of potentially dangerous plants operating in our state. If we don't, it's not a matter of "if" another explosion could occur, but "when" the next one will happen. West is not the first town in Texas to be devastated by a massive explosion, as Texas City was rocked by the worst industrial accident in American history over fifty years ago  like the author mentioned. Growth at "all cost" is not worth the lives of innocent citizens.

The author argues that “the direct cause of the explosion was a fire that heated tons of ammonium nitrate to the point of deadly detonation,” but the original problem came from a “muddled and fractured" state and federal regulatory system which allowed the conditions that led to the explosion. The one example he gives make us, the readers, extremely upset; the last year the company stored 270 tons of ammonia nitrate, significantly more than legally allowed to be stored without report. He says that “Any amount of ammonium nitrate over 400 pounds is supposed to be reported to the US Department.” However, “the West plant did not notify the department. It was over 1,350 times the maximum allowed before notification is required.”

He also mentions, “Further, the department relies on self-reporting, and it doesn’t have enough money or inspectors to carry out inspection of the 600 fertilizer depots and plants.” Legal regulations and citations aren’t effective when there aren’t enough inspectors to do the work. He gives information that “the insurance Council of Texas estimates damages will reach $100 million.” His information is enough to understand the federal regulatory system is weak. However, I really wonder, what kind of federal regulations are enforced in Texas?  If the author had provided some laws the state has for readers, they may have a better understanding of why the West explosion happened. The readers would also more easily understand how much the government has to do to make strong regulatory laws for the public's safety.