Following the 2015 Torrance refinery explosion and near-release of HF/MHF, which could have caused a mass-casualty event in the surrounding communities of Torrance, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance (TRAA) has been calling for the only 2 refineries in CA that use this deadly chemical to convert to any of the safer, commercially-available alternatives that do not pose the same risk of a ground-hugging toxic cloud to the surrounding cities. 

We need your help to let NJ-based PBF Energy, Inc. know that we deserve safer communities to live in & that the refinery workers deserve safer working conditions! 

To the Board Members of PBF Energy, Incorporated:

The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance (“TRAA”) is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to protecting residents’ right to a safe living environment and refinery workers’ right to safer working conditions. We are writing today to reiterate our demand that the Torrance Refining Company, LLC and all oil refineries within the United States’ jurisdiction phase out the use of Hydrofluoric/Modified Hydrofluoric Acid (“HF/MHF”) in their refining processes. 

Per the City of Torrance’s 2021 Strategic Plan, which guides the City in its decisions for the next decade, it is the goal of the community to “mitigate public health and safety risks from the use HF/MHF in the alkylation process at the Torrance Refinery” (City of Torrance, California 2021 Strategic Plan, p.65). This includes:

• fostering regular public discussion for phasing out HF/MHF
• properly informing the public of the feasibility of alternative alkylation technologies to replace HF/MHF use
• ensuring that all City of Torrance emergency plans include HF/MHF releases in all credible scenarios (i.e. natural and/or human-made disasters). 

It is of the opinion of community stakeholders that the Torrance Refinery is not adequately supporting the City of Torrance to meet these municipally-approved goals. 

PBF Energy, Inc. and its limited liability company (“Torrance Refining Company, LLC”) have not made public its Hierarchy of Hazardous Control Analysis (HCA) report, which outlines and ranks safeguards to protect workers. This report should show the cost to convert the chemical used in the alkylation process to any of the multiple commercially-available and proven alternatives.

Additionally, no guidance has been provided to the community regarding how to seek shelter in the event of an HF/MHF release due to an earthquake. In the event of an MHF release, people are instructed to seek shelter indoors; in the event of an earthquake, people are instructed to vacate any and all buildings. Torrance Refining Company, LLC has dismissed the likelihood such a disaster occurring without making action to prepare for such an event. 

Furthermore, there is a very real concern of these refineries being targets of acts of terror. The risk of an HF/MHF release resulting in a ground-hugging aerosol cloud that could travel beyond the Torrance, California property owned by PBF Energy, Inc. puts a potential target on the city and region for acts of terror. It could take just a single bullet to put tens-of-thousands of people at risk of a potential disaster. The other commercially-available and proven alternatives to HF/MHF do not pose the same risk to the community surrounding the Torrance Refinery. 

The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance and members of the local community are urging PBF Energy, Inc. to convert to a safer, commercially-available alternative.