We're always on high alert for proposed policies and projects (even in their most preliminary stages) that threaten the business community and our BizFed members – even in the lead-up to a high stakes Super Bowl weekend. As part of a last-minute board agenda addition, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors inserted Item 41-F right before the weekend to consider asking the state to intervene in the operations of two refineries that power essential services and jobs.
The PBF Energy refinery in Torrance and the Valero Energy refinery in Wilmington use something called Modified Hydrofluoric Acid (MHF). This helps the refineries efficiently produce fuels that are needed for operations at our ports and airport, as well as local transportation. In short, it's how we support the movement of goods and people.
County supervisors are asking the state to intervene and require the refineries to abandon MHF and embrace other chemicals to process their fuel, which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars without any guarantee of a safe and effective transition. The refineries have just spent millions of dollars on upgrades in safety, when they were already safe!
Further, the Board of Supervisors is asking the county work with the refineries on risk assessment and reporting requirements – which we already have! The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) worked with the refineries for 3 years and came to an agreement to enhance safety measures which requires the refineries to submit quarterly updates on progress.
Valero Wilmington Refinery is on track to complete all action items by March 31st, 2022. Torrance Refinery has already completed all action items.
The ordinance the county is considering is not only unnecessary, it undermines the meticulous processes the refineries already have in place. We don't need more duplicative policies in the South Coast Basin. It drains resources, slows economic growth, and is a poor application of supervisorial power.
1. Call in to the LA County Supervisors Board Meeting
TOMORROW, February 15th at 9:30 a.m.
Public comment will be heard at the BEGINNING of this meeting
Call-in number: (877) 226-8163
Participant Code: 1336503
Starting at 9:00 a.m.
Press 1 then 0 to address the Board
2. Quickly and easily send a letter with one click to let the Board of Supervisors know your concerns.
Thank you for speaking up to keep goods and people moving, and LA working. If you have any questions, please contact sarah.wiltong@bizfed.org.
In your corner,
Tracy Hernandez
BizFed Founding CEO
