This bill prohibits petroleum refineries from using hydrofluoric acid (a highly toxic chemical) in their operations and requires them to switch to safer alternative technologies. Currently, about 40 U.S. refineries use hydrofluoric acid to produce high-octane gasoline, and the bill bans its use immediately at any new refineries while giving existing refineries five years to transition to safer methods. According to the legislation, a major release of hydrofluoric acid could kill or permanently injure thousands of people within a 25-mile radius, putting more than 14 million Americans at risk, particularly in communities already burdened by environmental hazards. The bill notes that safer, commercially available alternatives already exist and are used in most U.S. refineries. Refineries that violate the prohibition after the five-year transition period face civil penalties of $37,500 per violation.
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