December 18, 2017
Sierra Club has joined with the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance to campaign against use of one of the world's most dangerous industrial chemicals, hydrofluoric acid (HF) and its sister version, modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF), in our local PBF Energy Refinery in Torrance (formerly Exxon Mobile) and the Wilmington Valero refinery. In the past few years, two explosions at the Torrance refinery has set residents on edge and underscored the need to rid the area of these dangrous and deadly chemicals.
Please help us ban hydrofluoric acid and make our communities safer.
You can make your voice heard loud and clear by participating in our campaign. Here are some quick actions you can take:
1. Sign the letter to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board, supporting Rule 1410, which requires replacement of HF/MHF with a safer alternative. Click here to TRAA website, and scroll down to see the letter. All Board members will receive your message. A link to call or write individual Board members directly, if you prefer, it is also provided.
2. Sign the petition to call on our California lawmakers to vote in favor of AB 1645, to ban and replace MHF and HF alkylation at California refineries. The alliance recommends a deadline of 2022 for elimination of MHF/HF alkylation, to be replaced with an alternative of the refinery's choice.
3. Put on your favorite walking shoes and help canvass our neighborhoods (Torrance, the Beach Cities, Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Pedro or Wilmington) to inform our neighbors of the campaign to ban HF and petition the SCAQMD. If you want to canvas, contact Cathy Clay at chcagc@yahoo.com. All materials will be provided.
Still have questions? Contact Chapter Conservation Program Manager Angelica Gonzalez at (213) 514-5802 or email angelica.gonzalez@sierraclub.org.