Newsletter

As with every American presidential election cycle, private industry waits with bated breath to see how the next four years will impact the national economy. In 2024, the bulk liquid terminals industry finds itself at a critical crossroads on several key policy matters affecting liquid logistics up and down the supply chain. Regardless of who is in the White House next January, the terminals industry will look for meaningful and bipartisan solutions on these topics.

On September 19, 2024, the European Union (EU) announced new restrictions on the use of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) in consumer products, including some firefighting foam applications. The approved restriction aims to reduce emissions of PFAS, as PFHxA is often used as a substitution for PFOA, the use of which is already restricted in the EU and a common chemical found in AFFF. The rule sets timelines and concentration limits of PFHxA in firefighting foams and foam concentrates for training, testing, public fire services, and civil aviation, with exceptions.

On September 18, ILTA hosted its monthly Energy Evolution webinar featuring Dr. Prem Lobo, the Energy Division Manager at the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Environment and Energy. Prem gave a high-level summary of the FAST-SAF program, outlining how it provided nearly $250 million in grants to support infrastructure projects related to the production, transportation, blending, and storage of SAF.

On September 11, following up on the association’s petition for reconsideration on the gasoline distribution rules, ILTA met with EPA to discuss the results of July field test of vapor combustion (VCU) unit efficiency and offer any further clarification on the petition. 

Over the last decade, there has been a rise in drone usage at bulk liquid terminal facilities throughout the U.S. and the world.  Of course, with new technology comes both advantages and disadvantages as terminals continue to grapple with the changing physical security landscape at their facilities.