Legislative response to West explosion begins with registry
AUSTIN – The state plans to compile a registry of businesses with dangerous chemicals so citizens can learn about hazards like the fertilizer plant in West, where a fire triggered a massive blast of ammonium nitrate.
The online database is among a handful of proposals, aired at a hearing Monday, that legislators said would not involve new laws or regulations, or increases in state spending.
“Wouldn’t you want to know if there’s a chemical facility in your neighborhood with hazardous material, ammonium nitrate, or other types of chemicals? And the answer is yes,” Steve McCraw, director of the Department of Public Safety, told the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
The registry would be on the state fire marshal’s website, but state officials have not decided which chemicals would be included. Media outlets, including The Dallas Morning News, have published databases of facilities with ammonium nitrate and related chemicals based on information filed with the state health department.
Rep. Joe Pickett, the El Paso Democrat who is the committee’s chairman, said he expects residents will use the state website to pose questions about safety to their county judge, city council, or fire chief.
More at http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/2013/06/legislative-response-to-west-explosion-begins-with-registry.html/ .
= new reply since forum marked as read
Not sure what else. 
BTW, do you think that catnip will be listed as a dangerous material?
