Association
Spotlight - Independent Liquid Terminals
Since 1974, the Independent Liquid Terminals Association has represented owners and operators of bulk liquid terminals, aboveground storage tank facilities and pipeline companies. ILTA works to inform, educate and advise terminal management and operating personnel on the latest industry trends and regulations. The association was founded in response to the rapid growth of the for-hire terminal business and the accompanying expansion of federal, state and local laws and regulations. The first meetings to form ILTA involved just four companies – Lake River Corp., Robertson Terminals Inc., Bulk Terminals, and GATX Terminals Corp. Today, ILTA is an international trade association with 73 terminal member companies and more than 300 supplier member companies. ILTA terminal member facilities include deepwater, barge and pipeline terminals whose bulk liquid commodities are a key part of the national and international economies. ILTA supplier members provide a wide variety of products and services to the terminal industry.
An interview with Melinda Whitney, Director of Government Relations and Education Services
Q: We appreciate your time with us, Melinda. To start, please describe the role of ILTA for your terminal members.
A: ILTA serves as an information resource for our members, whether it’s information on legislative developments, regulatory actions or industry events. We work to identify critical issues facing terminals and help members resolve them. In 2006, Congress will consider a number of bills that could directly impact terminals, so ILTA has broadened its ability to manage legislative issues. For example, we are watching a recently introduced chemical facility security bill to determine what impact it would have on terminal facilities. In addition, we are putting a heavy focus on regulatory compliance issues. Our location in Washington, D.C., gives us the ability to act quickly when dealing with Congress and federal agencies. By helping government officials gain a better understanding of how their proposals will impact the industry, we work to reduce the regulatory burden on our members. ILTA communicates directly with members in our monthly publication and Web site. We also have regularly scheduled meetings, a yearly conference, and special training courses and educational seminars on how members can conduct their terminal operations in an efficient, cost-effective, safe, healthy and environmentally-sound manner.
Q: Sounds like you have a lot of great information for your members. Do you have any new educational initiatives that people should know about?
A: We are developing new training opportunities to meet the needs of our members. In 2005, we hosted two training sessions for Facility Security Officers, a half-day overview and update on the EPA’s Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule, and a workshop to provide information on various aspects of the ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) rules as they apply specifically to terminals. Already this year, we held an SPCC workshop where EPA reviewed its recently published Guidance for Regional Inspectors.
Q: There are a number of important issues facing the industry in 2006, including ULSD, biodiesel and ethanol. Do you have a “best practice recommendation” on a hot topic you can share with our readers?
A: Right now, the entire industry is focused on the handling and delivery of ULSD. We are recommending that terminals establish specific delivery specs based on their individual circumstances. We also suggest that terminal owners start talking to pipelines and parties further downstream to reach agreements on a number of issues relating to deliveries of ULSD.
Q: Will you be focusing on these issues in your upcoming Conference and Trade Show in June? A: Yes. Our Conference Advisory Committee identified these as important topics to include at some point during our event, whether it is through a conference session, in-depth workshop, or new products and services showcased in the trade show. We are currently working with our industry partners to develop the complete program. Additional information will be available shortly on our Web site.
Q: How can terminal operators access the educational resources available?
A: Our monthly newsletter is available to all of our terminal members. The newsletter is the best source of information as it highlights legislative and regulatory activity affecting members. It also announces upcoming training seminars and workshops, and it provides information on industry trends and developments. It can be sent as an electronic file or as a paper copy through regular mail. Terminal members may contact ILTA to sign-up to receive the newsletter.
Q: Are there any online resources for your members?
A: In the members-only area of our Web site, terminal members can access documents in our Terminal Operation Series, a group of manuals designed to help terminal owners and operators understand and meet regulatory, safety and operational requirements. Terminal members may also request videos from our video lending library; which offers a broad selection of titles to help companies meet specific training needs. Members can also access the company and facility location listings from our terminal membership directory. Also, the contact information and products and services are listed for the more than 300 ILTA supplier members.
Contact
ILTA
Melinda Whitney, Director of Government Relations and Education Services
202-842-9200
DTN is proud to be a member of ILTA.
DTN DiamondControl terminal automation can help you track and report ULSD shipments. Click here to view more information.
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The views and opinions expressed in this feature article are designed for educational purposes. The views do not necessarily state or reflect those of DTN
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