Washington, D.C. –Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV sent a letter today to the United States Coast Guard requesting that they release key findings in the Bayer CropScience chemical explosion investigation without compromising national security.
 
The Coast Guard has been working with the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations Board (CSB) to determine the cause and reaction to the August 2008 Bayer chemical explosion in the Kanawha Valley.
 
In a letter to Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Senator Rockefeller said:
 
“I know that the Coast Guard is working closely with the CSB to review its findings and to determine what information can be released to the public.  I ask that you consult as soon as possible with the Transportation Security Administration and use your collective discretion to reveal all key findings of the CSB that will inform the public regarding both the incident and any remaining hazards and risks to the community, without compromising our national security interests.  As you know, transparency is essential for identifying, correcting, and preventing these types of incidents and improving emergency handling in the future.  MTSA regulations should never be permitted to be abused to obstruct a safety investigation.”
 
***A copy of the letter is attached***