Government Affairs Brief

Chairman of the Security Subcommittee, Jerry Jerdine, Ergon, led a discussion on small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS).

Next, the committee heard from a panel of invited speakers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The panel focused on physical security, cybersecurity, and terminal resiliency. The panel’s speakers were Tim Donnelly, CISA Region 1 Chief of Protective Security; Daniel King, Chief of Cybersecurity, CISA Region 1; and, Daniel McElhinney, Federal Preparedness Coordinator and National Preparedness Division Director, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FEMA Region 1. The panel held a robust discussion of physical security, including how Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) are being re-evaluated as a threat vector to terminal physical security. The panel also discussed possible cybersecurity impacts. FEMA discussed resiliency and how terminal facilities can be prepared for business interruptions.

The Environment Subcommittee hosted a conversation about the ILTA submitted Gasoline Distribution Rule Comments. The discussion was led by Terri Holloman, Magellan, Bill Lee, CITGO, Svend Brandt-Erichsen with Nossaman LLP and Rob Ferry with Trinity Consultants. The panel discussed ILTA’s submitted comments to EPA and provided a recap of the main points of the ILTA technical comments to EPA’s proposed rule. The panel also discussed some technical nuances in EPA’s proposed rule.

ILTA was excited to hold our EHSS committee meetings in person on September 20-21 at the Omni Parker House in Boston.

Beginning Day 1 as a full committee, participants heard a presentation from Patrick Morrison, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), on the long-term health effects of PFAS exposure to firefighters across the country. The update included a summary of the IAFF report on health impacts for different genders of firefighters and other differentiators in studying PFAS exposure on human health. The IAFF report and research concluded that exposure to PFAS in the environment has increased risk of several cancers and other serious diseases.  Firefighters are at especially high risk due to workplace exposure to PFAS both through the use of foams and through contact with PFAS-tested protective gear. The IAFF has taken a strong stance in favor of phasing out the use of PFAS-based firefighting foams for all uses, including municipal, industrial, and defense uses.

We are launching the winning design for our new safety excellence award.