Congressional authorization for the Chemical Facility Antiterrorism Standards (CFATS) program EXPIRED in late July. The CFATS program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the program identifies and regulates facilities to ensure security measures are in place to reduce the risk that certain chemicals, including propane, are not weaponized by terrorists.
While the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) anticipates CFATS will be reauthorized in the future, the program is currently suspended. CISA, under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which administers CFATS, provided the following guidance for their stakeholders: CISA cannot enforce compliance with the CFATS regulations at this time. This means that CISA will not require facilities to report their chemicals of interest or submit any information in CSAT, perform inspections, or provide CFATS compliance assistance, amongst other activities. CISA can no longer require facilities to implement their CFATS Site Security Plan or CFATS Alternative Security Program.
CISA encourages facilities to maintain security measures. CISA’s voluntary ChemLock resources are available on the ChemLock webpages.
NPGA will ensure that the membership is aware when the program is re-authorized and as regulatory developments within the program change.
As of December 29, 2023, the program still has not been reauthorized.
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