The mayors of the Lake Superior twin port cities near last week’s oil refinery explosion and fire are calling on its owners to stop using a dangerous chemical compound at the site.
Husky Energy in Superior is one of about 50 refineries in the country that still uses hydrogen fluoride to process high-octane gasoline. The refinery explosion last Thursday injured at least 13 people, caused the evacuation of nearby homes and sent billowing plumes of black smoke into the air.
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Superior Mayor Jim Paine and Mayor Emily Larson of the adjacent city of Duluth, Minnesota, have asked Husky Energy to use a safer alternative to hydrogen fluoride, a highly corrosive chemical that can produce toxic vapor clouds.
The tank containing hydrogen fluoride was not damaged by the explosion or fire.
