Government Affairs Brief

European industries are pressing the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on the cost, effectiveness, and availability of replacements for PFAS-containing firefighting foam. In comments to ECHA’s Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis’ (SEAC) draft opinion of the proposed restriction of PFAS in firefighting foams, EU industry groups expressed the difficulty of transitioning to foams that achieve the same performance as their PFAS-based predecessors, under the timeline and phaseout scheme laid out by ECHA’s proposed restriction.

EPA is pushing back the deadlines for two major rulemaking processes concerning the designation of PFAS as a hazardous substance under CERCLA. EPA is extending both its internal deadline to finalize the rule to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA to February 2024 and the comment period for stakeholders to provide input and data on regulating seven additional PFAS under CERCLA to August 11, 2023. The extension of these proposed rulemakings reflects the complexity of crafting these policies and the need for further analysis of the impacts, burden, and novelty of designating PFAS as hazardous substances.

As mentioned in previous editions of this newsletter, capitalizing on the growth of the hydrogen economy as a key part of the energy transition may require investment by the liquid terminal industry store hydrogen or ammonia (a common hydrogen energy carrier). However, liquid terminal facilities will not only act as integral pieces of the hydrogen supply chain but may also become hydrogen customers.

As part of a new monthly series, ILTA will be holding its first industry call on July 19^th regarding the transition to low- and no-carbon forms of liquid energy. July’s call will feature a moderated, high-level conversation on market trends and what the future holds for the wider energy transition. Panelists will include ILTA members and clean energy market experts, including ILTA Board member and Buckeye Partners’ Vice President of Sustainability Meridith Wilson.

An invitation will be sent to all ILTA Environment, Health, Safety, & Security (EHSS) Committee members in the near future. If you would like to join our EHSS Committee, please email Christopher Meilink: cmeilink@ilta.org.

ILTA is excited to announce the launch of ILTA Connect, a new community platform for ILTA terminal members! ILTA Connect is meant for members to share relevant information and news about what’s going on in our industry, ask questions, and foster discussion. In this space, you will be able to join different communities based on committees and working groups.  

This platform is your new “go-to” site to explore environment, health, safety, security, and operations topics and receive rapid feedback from your peers. ILTA Connect serves as a place to continue your conversations from ILTA meetings and events and it is your gateway to members-only resources like safety moments and sustainability reporting shared by other ILTA members.

Log on to ILTA Connect today using your ILTA member account or create an account if you don’t have one! For further questions or resolving any issues with your account, please email membership@ilta.org.