In what was considered a major victory for industry, including liquid terminals, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) recently announced that the Trump Administration has reversed the Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

ILTA will continue to push this fall for a long-term reauthorization of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), a critical program aimed at preventing the theft, diversion, sabotage or deliberate release of chemicals. ILTA will maintain its focus on a specific fuels issue.

ILTA filed comments September 24 with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in support of EPA’s action that will allow a major source to reclassify to an area source at any time by limiting its potential to emit (PTE) hazardous air pollutants (HAP) to below the major-source thresholds.  

ILTA is actively lobbying against amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would effectively ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for military use. The amendments, which are not relevant to the underlying legislation, include several measures that ILTA and a broad industry PFAS coalition oppose.  

In separate September 11 meetings, Trump Administration officials pressured biofuel and oil refining executives to agree to a plan to bolster the blending of corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel.

ILTA seeks to provide the latest industry news for our members. These news briefs represent highlights from the past few weeks. ILTA News Plus, our weekly newsletter, serves as a supplement.

The Board of Directors recently approved the application of Canal Terminals Company of Channahon, Illinois., to become the newest ILTA terminal member.

MarketScreener, Sept. 16, 2019
Entering into a definitive merger, SemGroup Corporation announced today it has been acquired by Energy Transfer LP for a unit and cash transaction valued at $5.1 billion including assumption of debt and other liabilities.

Seeking Alpha, Sept. 18, 2019
Magellan Midstream Partners announced the opening of its 135-mile pipeline connecting the East Houston terminal to Hearne, Texas, as well as a pipeline spur from the new system to George Bush Airport with operations slated to commence November 1.

FOX 40, Sept. 16, 2019
LBC Tank Terminals announced earlier this month the appointment of Frank Erkelens as CEO. Erkelens takes the reigns at LBC effective October 15 with a reputation for solid leadership and a track record for delivering value to customers and shareholders alike.

Oil & Gas 360, Sept. 4, 2019
NuStar Energy L.P. announced in early September that it had completed work on three key pipeline projects, significantly expanding capacity for Permian crude to Corpus Christi and refined products into Northern Mexico.

OK Energy Today, Sept. 24, 2019
To aid in the recovery from Tropical Storm Imelda, Phillips 66 has pledged a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross to meet the immediate needs of those affected or displaced from their homes along the Texas coast.

BIC magazine, Sept. 26, 2019
Citing "chronic underperformance," Elliott Management Corp. urged Marathon Petroleum Corp. to split into three companies. The split is Elliott's latest plan to increase shareholder value. Shares of Marathon were up 8.1% as of this writing.

Houston Chronicle, Sept. 27, 2019
From humble beginnings as a propane delivery company some 50 years ago, Enterprise Products Partners has grown to dominate the market using the same philosophy day-in and day-out: how can we make money today?

Market Screener, Sept. 30, 2019
Following their announcement in early April, Royal Vopak has completed its divestment of terminals in Amsterdam and Hamburg to First State Investments. The transaction is valued at approximately EUR 600 million including a contingent consideration of EUR 15 million.

Market Screener, Sept. 27, 2019
The Marathon Petroleum Corporation's Lansing Terminal and Fleet have been recognized with the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program Star award by the Michigan occupational Safety and Health Administration for their workplace safety and health excellence.

ILTA seeks to provide all the national Federal Register notices issued in the past month regarding the terminal and related industries.

ILTA recently sent to its terminal members an advocacy survey, asking what topics matter most to you. By answering this short survey, you can help shape ILTA’s advocacy efforts in 2020.

Members of ILTA’s Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Committee met at their semiannual meeting September 10-11 in San Antonio. Prior to the meeting, 10 of our members came early to join the ILTA staff in a volunteer activity in support of the Haven of Hope, a local charity that helps the homeless.

At its semiannual face-to-face meeting on September 12 in San Antonio, the ILTA Operations Council deliberated on several ongoing issues. A member is engaged in a serious disagreement with OSHA over the application of Process Safety Management at one of its facilities and described its exchanges with the agency to those present. The council discussed a path forward to develop an operations management system framework for terminal operators.

ILTA will host its 2019 Annual Meeting on October 31 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The general membership meeting is open to all terminal members. 

Take a moment to mark your calendars! ILTA has confirmed its Spring EHS&S and Operational Council meetings for New Orleans, Louisiana on March 31-April 1.