NPRA Commends DHS on Release of National Infrastructure Protection Plan.

WASHINGTON -- NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, today issued a statement on the Department of Homeland Security's recent publication of its National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). NIPP is a comprehensive risk management program that defines critical infrastructure protection roles and responsibilities for all levels of government and private industry. It provides a single structure that will be used to establish national priorities, goals, and requirements to maintain and enhance homeland security.

NPRA President Bob Slaughter said, "We commend the Department of Homeland Security and all others who undertook the monumental task of coordinating the protection of the nation's critical infrastructures and key resources. NPRA thanks the Department, moreover, for giving the public the opportunity to participate in the development of the NIPP, and for recognizing the role the refining and petrochemical manufacturing industries continue to play in protecting the security of energy and chemical facilities."

Both the energy sector and the chemical sector - two of the critical infrastructures included in the NIPP - are in the process of drafting Sector Specific Plans to complement the NIPP and to detail the roles of government and industry in maintaining homeland security. NPRA is an active participant in both the Oil & Natural Gas Sector Coordinating Council and the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council, the two groups specifically charged with drafting the Sector Specific Plans.

Slaughter noted, "Maintaining the security of our facilities has always been a priority at refineries and petrochemical plants. We are proud of the outstanding working relationship we enjoy with DHS, DOE, and other government security agencies in the fight against terrorism. The NIPP is an excellent example of how this public/private partnership is supposed to work. NPRA and its members look forward to continuing this security partnership."

NPRA is a national trade association whose members include more than 450 companies, including virtually all U.S. refiners and petrochemical producers.