This past July, petrochemical industries lost access to an important tool that keeps our facilities — and our country — safe. That’s when Congress let the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program expire.

We need Congress to reinstate the CFATS program immediately. Use the form letter on this page to contact your senators and member of congress.

What is the CFATS program?

The U.S. refining and petrochemical industries are vital to our economy, our health, and our safety. American-made chemicals and petrochemicals are the essential building blocks for medicines, microchips, vehicles, agriculture and more. The facilities that make and handle these materials maintain the highest levels of safety and security. These efforts include protecting against potential terrorist threats and physical or cyberattacks.

The CFATS program is the fundamental tool underlying all facility terrorist and cybersecurity. First authorized by Congress in 2006, CFATS reduces the risk of a terrorist attack on chemical facilities and refineries by addressing a wide-range of potential terrorist threats, including cyberattacks.

Think of CFATS as both a set of rules and a coach. It establishes shared national security standards, and then enables facilities to work with agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to make sure facilities’ security plans are as effective as possible, and responsive to new threats.

Why is the CFATS program important?

Nothing is more important than the safety of our people, our communities, and our country. For the past 16 years, CFATS has been a critical part of preventing physical and cyberattacks.

Since the program’s inception, our industries have invested millions of dollars and implemented thousands of new security measures at our facilities. And we have seen no successful terrorist actions. In short — CFATS works, and our country is more secure.