By Hannah Jeffrey Aug. 1, 2013 Updated: Aug. 1, 2013 10:56 p.m.
WASHINGTON - Responding to the deadly April explosion that devastated the town of West, President Barack Obama signed an executive order Thursday calling on federal agencies to improve the safety and security of hazardous chemical manufacturing sites.
Obama's order created a White House working group made up of officials representing the myriad agencies involved in chemical safety, with the goal of better coordination and efficiency in identifying, regulating and protecting plants like West Fertilizer Co.
The April blast occurred as emergency responders were attempting to put out a fire at the plant. The explosion caused 300 injuries and 15 deaths, including 12 volunteer firefighters, and destroyed dozens of buildings in the surrounding area. State officials have not pinpointed a cause for the blast, and the incident remains under investigation.
Obama, in issuing the order, said action can't wait for the inquiry to conclude.
"Chemicals and the facilities that manufacture, store, distribute and use them are essential to our economy," Obama declared in the executive order. "Incidents such as the devastating explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, in April are tragic reminders that the handling and storage of chemicals present serious risks that must be addressed."
The president directed the agencies to assist in bridging the gap between state and local partners; work with stakeholders to determine appropriate courses of action; bring security standards up to date; and improve information-sharing within the federal government.
Republicans and Democrats in Congress have been harshly critical of the federal government's lack of coordination in the aftermath of the chemical plant inferno. One leading critic, Republican Rep. Bill Flores of Bryan, responded to Obama's action by saying the president is now "directionally pointed the right way."
"I think we need to have that way for those agencies to work together, and I think that the executive order pushes the federal and state agencies in that direction," said Flores, whose district includes West.
Obama's order won the approval of West Mayor Tommy Muska.
"I think it is a positive move," Muska said. "As much as I don't like government intrusion on an industry, a lot of these plants are older, and they need to have some tougher standards someone holds them to."
Agencies involved in the West aftermath include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chemical Safety Board, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Homeland Security and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso said the West incident "revealed serious gaps in the prevention of accidents and in response preparations for major chemical releases by companies and government authorities, leaving Americans vulnerable."
He said the executive order could lead to improved site access for investigators, preservation of evidence and increased sharing of information and test results. Moure-Eraso had earlier complained that ATF and Texas officials were hampering his independent agency's investigation at West.
For many West citizens, Thursday's action is an important step they have been waiting for. But they've also been unhappy with the denial of a major disaster declaration that could bring money to help the stricken town. The state has appealed the denial.
"It's a tough situation, but maybe there should be some sort of federal aid," said Tony LeNoir, a West roofer, who is repairing several of the damaged houses. "Maybe we don't spend as much on other countries and spend a little bit here on people who need it."
A spokeswoman for Sen. Ted Cruz said the Houston Republican was worried about the consequences of executive action. "More government regulation is not an effective response to this issue, nor will it help this town rebuild," said Catherine Frazier, Cruz's press secretary.
Sen. John Cornyn sounded a similar note.
"Those affected by the tragedy in West deserve immediate assistance, not another working group from this administration armed only with a mission statement. If President Obama is serious about helping those still suffering in West, he should issue the disaster declaration requested by Governor Perry and supported by myself and our fellow Texas officials from across the state," Cornyn said.
Chronicle reporter Dug Begley contributed to this story.