By WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - There are 16 fertilizer plants in Texas like the one that exploded in West, but authorities say they aren't clear if any are near schools or residential centers.
Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw told lawmakers Monday that he wasn't aware if the state had looked at other fertilizer plants for proximity to things like schools.
The April 17 explosion killed 15 people in West, a rural farming community. A school, nursing home and apartment complex nearby were all damaged.
Members of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee told McCraw and other officials they'd like to see a state Website where the public can easily find where these facilities are located.
They said a model could be online services showing where registered sex offenders live.
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