Legis Daily

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

USA119th CongressHR-7384| House 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
Maxine Waters

Maxine Waters

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (7)
Robert Garcia (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act by prohibiting the use of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) in petroleum refining. The legislation highlights that this exceptionally hazardous chemical, currently used in approximately 40 U.S. refineries, poses a significant risk of mass casualties to workers and surrounding communities, potentially affecting over 14 million people within a 25-mile radius. It emphasizes that safer, commercially proven alternative technologies are available and already utilized by the majority of refineries. To mitigate these risks, the bill establishes a two-tiered prohibition: new petroleum refineries commencing operations after the bill's enactment are immediately barred from using hydrofluoric acid existing refineries must cease its use within five years of the enactment date . Violations of this prohibition will incur a civil penalty of $37,500 for each instance, and importantly, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is explicitly denied any authority to issue waivers for this ban.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10441
Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2024
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10441
    Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2024


  • February 4, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 4, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Environmental Protection

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

USA119th CongressHR-7384| House 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
This bill seeks to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act by prohibiting the use of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) in petroleum refining. The legislation highlights that this exceptionally hazardous chemical, currently used in approximately 40 U.S. refineries, poses a significant risk of mass casualties to workers and surrounding communities, potentially affecting over 14 million people within a 25-mile radius. It emphasizes that safer, commercially proven alternative technologies are available and already utilized by the majority of refineries. To mitigate these risks, the bill establishes a two-tiered prohibition: new petroleum refineries commencing operations after the bill's enactment are immediately barred from using hydrofluoric acid existing refineries must cease its use within five years of the enactment date . Violations of this prohibition will incur a civil penalty of $37,500 for each instance, and importantly, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is explicitly denied any authority to issue waivers for this ban.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10441
Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2024
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10441
    Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2024


  • February 4, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 4, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Maxine Waters

Maxine Waters

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (7)
Robert Garcia (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted