Newsletter

With over 25 years of experience in the terminal industry, Willie Washington currently serves as the Senior Specialist – Safety, Organization Excellence for Energy Transfer. His passion for the industry has been the catalyst for his involvement on the ILTA Safety Subcommittee where he advocates for improved safety conditions for the current and future workforce.

We got a chance to catch up with Willie to learn more about his path into the terminal industry and how collaboration and safety shape his work every day.

The Trump EPA is holding off on making any definitive moves regarding Biden-era PFAS regulations as it awaits the appointment of a new PFAS lead. According to a spokesperson from EPA, the agency will not comment on how the administration intends to address PFAS contamination until the new appointee is in place—though it remains unclear who that will be or when they will begin. This decision signals that PFAS may continue to be a priority, even if the new administration attempts to roll back the landmark CERCLA designation, drinking water rule, and other policies.

During remarks at a March 24 meeting, Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reaffirmed her push for bipartisan legislation to exempt passive receivers of PFAS contamination from Superfund liability. While past negotiations stalled with Democrats in the previous Congress, Capito has long indicated her support and has renewed her case for addressing the issue. Additionally, she further indicated that upcoming legislative proposals will likely address PFAS destruction technologies as well as reinitiate efforts to establish a consistent, narrower federal definition of PFAS.

On March 21, ILTA hosted an Energy Evolution webinar featuring Troy Bredenkamp, Executive Vice President of Public Policy, and Justin Schultz, Director of Environment, Health & Safety at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The webinar featured a conversation with Troy and Justin about how the current administration and Congress are influencing policies affecting the renewable fuels market, RFA’s outlook on key opportunities and challenges, and how the association’s members are adapting to changes that also impact bulk liquid storage, handling, and distribution.

Presidential Exemption: NESHAP for the Gasoline Distribution Source Category and NSPS for Bulk Gasoline Terminals

 

To whom it may concern at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

The International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) is writing to express that affected sources in the Gasoline Distribution source category, 40 CFR 63 Subparts R and BBBBBB, may have urgent reason to seek Presidential Exemption from certain emission standards and monitoring provisions of these subparts.

Founded in 1974, ILTA represents 70 companies operating liquid terminals in all 50 states and in over 40 countries. Terminals provide essential logistics services, support domestic and international trade, and foster the readiness of the United States armed forces by making fuels and liquid products available throughout the world—products such as petroleum fuels, aviation fuels, petrochemical products, chemicals, asphalt, alternative fuels like ethanol, and beyond. In particular, the U.S. gasoline distribution industry comprises a vast infrastructure network that moves finished gasoline and other liquid fuels from petroleum refineries to end markets, including government, commercial and industrial facilities, and retail fueling stations.

A strong gasoline distribution industry delivers affordable energy to America and ensures liquid fuels are available wherever they are needed.

Many of the same infrastructure assets that deliver gasoline also deliver jet fuel to military and commercial air facilities, and diesel to America’s farms, food producers and manufacturing facilities. Reliable access to gasoline and other fuels is crucial for maintaining operational readiness and ensuring military bases can function independently, especially in times of crisis. Our national security relies on the services and logistical support that the bulk liquid storage industry brings to the nation’s energy supply chain.

On May 8, 2024, EPA issued a final rule entitled National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Gasoline Distribution Technology Reviews and New Source Performance Standards Review for Bulk Gasoline Terminals (89 Fed. Reg. 39304) (May 8, 2024) (“Gasoline Distribution Rule”). This rulemaking includes significant changes to two National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the gasoline distribution industry, viz., Subpart R for major sources of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) and Subpart BBBBBB for area sources. The rulemaking also comprises one New Source Performance Standard (NSPS), Subpart XXa, for gasoline loading racks and associated equipment at the bulk gasoline terminal segment of this industry. The NESHAP subparts rely on the NSPS Subpart XXa provisions for emissions monitoring requirements for loading racks.

Download a copy of the full letter below.