The free ride is almost over for U.S. chemical plants that have failed to strengthen protection against terrorists or accidental leaks, says the nation’s homeland security chief. Plants that resist costly security measures can no longer expect to be “free riders” among the 15,000 privately operated chemical facilities, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warns. “They’re counting on the fact that the industry in general has a good level of investment, and they figure they’ll hide among the leaves and essentially freeload on this security work done by others,” says Chertoff, who is outlining new steps for safeguards in a speech Tuesday. Full Story