Government Affairs Brief

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg used an August 23 visit to the Port of Tampa, Fla., to kick off a four-day, six-state “Building a Better America Tour.”  Buttigieg promoted the recently signed sweeping health, climate and tax law known as the Inflation Reduction Act, but he also used the tour to focus attention on major infrastructure projects. Buttigieg helped local officials celebrate a previously announced $12.6 million grant to build a new berth at the Port Redwing facility to add capacity and reduce emissions.

As ILTA Members know, there is much anticipation around the forthcoming U.S. Coast Guard announcement of a three-year extension to the TWIC Reader Rule. In July, ILTA’s Security Committee hosted a meeting with Captain Andy Meyers and Lieutenant Commander Jeff Bender from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) about the recent informal announcement of another delay to the TWIC Reader Rule. Captain Meyers and Lieutenant Commander Jeff Bender agreed to have the USCG present at the ILTA Fall EHS&S meeting in Boston to discuss this topic.  

On June 10, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its long anticipated Proposed Rule on National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Gasoline Distribution Technology Review (EPA Federal Register Notice Linked Here). ILTA’s Working Group continues refining and shaping ILTA’s comments. The comments are now due on Monday, September 12. 

EPA officials recently reached out to ILTA potential RVP waivers for E15 blends. On August 31, ILTA held a briefing call for members with EPA presenting the issue and timeline for stakeholder input. Given the strong member interest demonstrated on the call, ILTA is organizing a process for the Environment Committee to discuss the proposed waiver and alternate approaches EPA could consider, and to develop an agreed industry position to communicate to EPA. 

ILTA Advocacy efforts continued into August to shape PFAS policy. The ILTA team continued outreach to Capitol Hill about the impact of bad PFAS policy on the liquid terminal industry. The ILTA Team specifically focused advocacy efforts on the United States House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on the Environment.