H.R. 7384 — Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2026

This section states congressional findings regarding hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid), a hazardous chemical used in approximately 40 U.S. petroleum refineries to produce high octane gasoline. The findings declare that (1) refineries are vulnerable to accidents, natural disasters, or subversive acts that could release the chemical, injuring or killing workers and potentially causing mass casualties up to 25 miles away affecting more than 14 million people (many in environmentally burdened communities); (2) safer alternative technologies are commercially available and used in the majority of U.S. refineries; and (3) new refineries should be prohibited from using it, with existing users required to convert.

This section prohibits the use of hydrofluoric acid to refine petroleum at petroleum refineries by (1) banning such use at new refineries on or after the date of enactment and (2) banning such use at existing refineries beginning five years after enactment. It further establishes a civil penalty of $37,500 for each violation of these prohibitions (notwithstanding the general penalty provision of TSCA §16(a)(1)) and bars the EPA Administrator from issuing any waiver under TSCA §22 with respect to these prohibitions.