September 2026 | Advocacy never slows down. This monthly brief is your window into what ILTA is tracking, influencing, and advancing, so you can stay informed on the issues shaping our industry.
To strengthen its advocacy presence in Washington, DC, ILTA hosted its second annual Energy Champions reception during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference. Held in partnership with WM, formerly Waste Management, the reception brought together several dozen attendees, including guest of honor Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA-2).
As CERCLA liability related to PFAS firefighting foam and drone safety issues continue to be top priorities for ILTA and its members, it is important to build lasting relationships with members of Congress who will champion our issues. Representing most of the city of New Orleans, Congressman Carter has a significant number of facilities in his district, and this event gives us a platform to build our advocacy strategy in the 120th Congress next year, no matter the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections.
EPA Publishes New Gasoline Distribution Proposed Rule
On September 28, after two years of concerted advocacy and a petition for reconsideration from ILTA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its rewrite of the 2024 Gasoline Distribution final rule. ILTA met with the EPA rulemaking team alongside API and AFPM on September 29 to share initial impressions as the three associations continue developing joint comments during the 45-day comment period.
Why This Matters
The proposed Gasoline Distribution rule is one of the most consequential environmental rulemakings for the terminal industry in the last two decades. As written, it presents significant compliance challenges, including the cost of facility upgrades and the time needed to complete them before the current May 2027 deadline. ILTA’s Air Permitting Working Group, made up of dozens of air compliance professionals from across the country, continues to advocate for changes to address these concerns.
ILTA Meets with Coast Guard Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy on MTSA Rule
On September 17, ILTA joined the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), the Port of Houston, the Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA), and the Fertilizer Institute (TFI), collectively the Maritime Industry Cybersecurity Coalition (MICC), to discuss implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) cybersecurity rule.
The MICC met with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P), Admiral Robert Compher, and U.S. Coast Guard Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy Chief Nick Parham.
Why This Matters
As the July 16, 2027 final implementation date approaches for compliance with the MTSA cybersecurity rule, ILTA is working to establish a clear line of communication between industry associations and the Coast Guard.
In this meeting, the Coast Guard announced their plans to release a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) in the coming weeks on this rule and encouraged the Coalition to provide feedback.
On September 22-23, ILTA hosted its Fall 2026 Joint Committee Meeting at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile.
The meeting featured over 65 attendees and included presentations on FAA’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for unmanned aircraft flight restrictions, significant injury or fatality data tracking, what the 2026 midterm elections could mean for terminal operations, an interactive deep dive on air permitting, and other topics.
Why This Matters
Joint Committee meetings, offered exclusively to ILTA terminal members, give industry professionals an opportunity to discuss pressing issues related to Government Affairs, Health & Safety, Environment, and Security. Each meeting includes a breakout roundtable discussion where attendees can ask questions, share concerns, and exchange insights from their operations.
ILTA’s next Joint Committee Meeting is scheduled for March 8–10, 2027, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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