More BP plant explosions

News stories like this and the fact that my family lives under the shadows of various refineries and chemical plants makes me shudder. Although there has been no indication of terrorist involvement yet, these things occur much too frequently. Given the quantity of potentially deadly chemicals that are amassed at these sites, is it so unreasonable to expect that the federal government take steps to increase the security and safety of these plants? I don't believe that government imposed regulation is usually the best solution. However, there is ample evidence that waiting for the private sector to voluntarily undertake the steps necessary to protect our communities has not been effective. The decision makers at the companies that own these sites apparently don't know or refuse to acknowledge that it is in everybody's interest to increase the safety and security of these massive refineries. Consequently, the government ought to act in the public interest and, working with these companies, impose stringent security measures to protect our country from the obvious threat posed by the potentially devastating effects of an attack or an accident made all too likely as a result of the lax safety and security that is currently in place.

Update: BP will be shutting down the plant in question 'indefinitely.'