Following a turbulent December on Capitol Hill, the future of President Biden’s $1.7 trillion Build Back Better spending package is currently unknown.

On December 3, President Joe Biden signed the Further Extending Government Funding Act (H.R. 6119), a continuing resolution (CR) that extends government funding at fiscal year (FY) 2021 levels through February 18, 2022 and which ultimately avoided a government shutdown.

The latest opportunity to pass federal legislation on PFAS failed as lawmakers in the Senate removed Congressional mandates for national primary drinking water regulations for two PFAS-class chemicals from the National Defense Authorization Act.

On December 17, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dissolved the nationwide stay of OSHA’s Vaccinate-or-Test ETS that was issued in early November by the Fifth Circuit.

 

North American Energy Pipelines, Dec. 14
Phillips 66 announced its 2022 capital expenditure program of $1.9 billion, including $992 million for sustaining capital and $916 million allocated for growth capital.

Stockhouse, Dec. 13
Blueknight Energy Partners announced it has agreed to buy a 200-acre industrial site in Colorado, including asphalt terminal and about 335,000 barrels of storage, and materially expand an existing Blueknight asphalt terminal, including construction of inbound rail logistics and additional tank storage.

Market Screener, Dec. 14
Vopak Moda Houston announced its greenfield marine terminal at the port is now fully operational. The project is a joint venture of Royal Vopak and Moda Midstream and is the only waterborne ammonia terminal in Houston with deep-water capabilities for very large gas carriers as well as smaller ships and barges.

Market Screener, Dec. 16
Howard Energy Partners announced a series of financial transactions, including release of inaugural unsecured notes and an extension its $1 billion revolving credit facility to help finance the build-out of its renewable diesel logistics facility in Port Arthur, Tx.

Market Screener, Dec. 10
Royal Vopak's Supervisory Board announced upcoming nominations for Michiel Gilsing as Chief Financial Officer and Frits Eulderink for another term as Chief Operating Officer, subject to shareholder approval of the AGM scheduled for April 20, 2022.

Market Screener, Dec. 20
The 2021 Golf Tournament Fundraiser, sponsored by Marathon Petroleum's Los Angeles refinery employees and contractors, raised more than $260,000 for the direct support of low-income youths and families serviced by the YMCA in Long Beach, Carson-Gardena and Wilmington, Ca.

 

On December 13, ILTA submitted comments to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding first-mile/last-mile railway service.

Following an October meeting with the EPA on its technology review of gasoline distribution, ILTA and its Gasoline Distribution Working Group sent a follow-up letter this month to regulators further highlighting the cost and operational impact of the expected rules.

ILTA is excited to announce that our March, terminal member-only EHSS meetings are returning in-person in 2022!  The Full Committee and respective Environment, Health & Safety, and Security Subcommittee meetings will be held in New Orleans over March 29-30 at the Hotel Monteleone. Make your reservation online here for the ILTA Room Block.

It was great to be with everyone in person in October at our conference and trade show – and we are getting ready now to do it again in June!

Rebooking for the 2022 show is currently underway! If you have not filled out your application, please connect with Heather Brown at hbrown@thewymancompany.com.