Congresswoman Waters’ Statement on the Explosion and Fire at the Chevron Refinery in El Segundo

LOS ANGELES, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee and South Bay representative, released the following statement today, in response to the recent explosion and fire at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo:

“I am relieved that the explosion and fire at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo was effectively contained, and I am grateful that there were no reported casualties. I commend all of the firefighters and first responders who were involved in responding to this emergency.

“This incident is a sobering reminder that safety is of paramount importance at refineries, especially when they are located in densely populated regions like Los Angeles County. Even well-run refineries can have accidents, and it is imperative that refinery operators do everything possible to ensure that refinery operations do not cause harm to workers, contractors, or the surrounding community. 

“It was fortunate that this Chevron refinery does not use hydrofluoric acid (HF). HF is a highly toxic chemical used in the refining process at some refineries, including the Torrance refinery, which is located in my congressional district. An accidental release of this dangerous chemical could injure or kill large numbers of people in the surrounding community. An investigation by the Chemical Safety Board concluded that the Torrance refinery’s 2015 explosion, which launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment into the air, close to a container of HF, could have been catastrophic if the toxic chemical had been released. 

“We cannot afford to keep taking chances. That is why last year I introduced the Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of HF at Refineries Act (H.R.10441). This bill would prohibit the use of HF to refine petroleum at new refineries and require existing refineries that currently use HF – like the Torrance refinery – to convert to a safer alternative within 5 years. 

“I am hopeful that this incident will provide an incentive for the Torrance refinery – as well as other refineries that still use HF – to stop using this dangerous chemical and convert to a safer technology. It would be a good business decision.

“I urge all refineries to invest in the safest available technologies and put safety first in all of their operations. Nothing is more important than the safety of our workers, our families, and our communities.”

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