Jeff Wilson

A Southwest Washington lawmaker has announced the state’s first legislative response to the deadly chemical spill that killed 11 workers and injured eight others at a Longview paper mill. State Sen. Jeff Wilson said he will introduce a bill in the January legislative session to create state oversight of above-ground chemical storage tanks like the one that collapsed on May 26 at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co.’s plant. …Above-ground chemical tanks used at paper mills and in other industries are not currently regulated by Washington state agencies. Companies are responsible for inspecting these tanks and making sure they meet safety standards. …Adding a layer of state oversight at paper mills, Wilson said, could help prevent a future disaster. …That agency would inspect and certify such tanks, he said, and daily fines of up to $5,000 could be imposed on companies that don’t keep their infrastructure safe.