Government Affairs Brief

Dennis Mendenhall, CSP, began his journey with Marathon Petroleum back in 2006, where he worked as a safety professional in the Terminal, Transport, and Marine organization. Over the years since, he’s transitioned through multiple experiences that have included all aspects of EHSS. In these roles, Mendenhall has supported domestic and international operations in downstream, midstream, and upstream business units.

Today, as Safety Manager of Logistics and Storage Terminals for Marathon, Mendenhall finds the best part of his job to be the people he works alongside each day.

“I am afforded the opportunity to lead and collaborate with a great team of people,” he said. “This team has become like family and truly makes each day a pleasure through the teamwork and collaboration exhibited, regardless of the issues and tasks in front of us. This team, coupled with Marathon Petroleum’s culture—which places the value of the safety and well-being of each worker ahead of competing interests—makes it a remarkable place to work.”

Again working with Conn Maciel Carey LLP (CMC), ILTA joined a multi-industry working group on OSHA’s Worker Walkaround Representative Rulemaking. The rule would expand the circumstances when non-employees, particularly union representatives at non-union workplaces, can accompany OSHA inspectors during enforcement inspections. For example, union representatives, other labor or community activist groups, and even plaintiffs’ attorneys (or their expert witnesses) could gain direct and early access to non-union workplaces and employees, potentially as a front for organizing campaigns where they otherwise would not have access or to advance personally injury lawsuits. Similarly, the rule could allow competitors, contractors, or others onsite to employers’ detriment.

On September 20th, ILTA hosted its second Energy Transition webinar, focused on the work being done at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to foster a hydrogen economy and how liquid terminals fit into their strategy. The webinar kicked off with a detailed presentation by Dr. Asha-Dee Celestine, representative for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) at DOE, and was followed by a lively conversation between her and Christopher Hessler, Founding Partner at AJW Inc.

ILTA’s annual Fall Environment, Health, Safety & Security Committee meeting was held in St. Louis, Missouri over September 26-27. The two-day event began with a morning tour of America’s Central Port led by Dennis Wilmsmeyer of America’s Central Port.

The International Liquid Terminals Association (“ILTA”) understands that EPA is involved in the development of a new 40 CFR Part 60 regulation for storage tanks to be designated Subpart Kc, and that one item under consideration is a requirement to control emissions during tank degassing events.  ILTA would like to share some of the more significant concerns with this potential requirement, namely cost and availability.