Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill would ban the use of hydrofluoric acid at all petroleum refineries in the United States. New refineries would be prohibited from using the chemical immediately, while existing refineries would have five years to switch to safer alternatives.
• The policy aims to protect the 14 million Americans who live within 25 miles of the 40 refineries that still use this chemical. A major leak could cause mass casualties or permanent injuries to workers and nearby residents.
• While this chemical is used to make high-octane gasoline, the bill notes that safer, commercially proven technologies already exist and are used by the majority of refineries in the country.
• Refineries that fail to stop using the chemical within the five-year window would face civil penalties of $37,500 for each violation.
• The bill specifically prevents the government from granting waivers or exceptions to this safety rule, ensuring all refineries must eventually transition to different methods.