So. Cal perc phase-out plans
revised, hearing set
California’s South Coast Air Quality
Management District created a stir among drycleaners in the Los
Angeles area when it announced its plans to amend Rule 1421
in order to instigate a ten-year phase-out of perc drycleaning
equipment in the district.
One public workshop on the subject held in
September by SCAQMD drew in a crowd of hundreds of drycleaners,
including representatives from the International Fabricare
Institute, the California Cleaners Association, the Korean
Drycleaners-Laundry Association, the Korean American Business
Association, the California Department of Corrections and the
California Small Business Alliance.
An additional public hearing on the
proposal is planned for February 2002.
In September’s workshop, various
industry groups cited the drycleaning industry’s proven
track record of cutting back on perc usage through
technological improvements in equipment. California emissions
have already been cut between 80% and 90% as a result of such
efforts. However, SCAQMD believes that the amount of perc
emissions in the district still needs to be reduced.
As a result of many of the concerns
expressed during the public workshop, SCAQMD has pushed back
its original perc phase-out target date of 2011 seven years
until 2018.
By that time, all perc drycleaning
equipment in the populated areas of Los Angeles, Orange,
Riverside and San Bernardino (representing approximately 2,100
cleaners) will need to be replaced by non-perc alternatives
such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and wetcleaning, if the
current amendments are passed.
According to Steve Risotto of HSIA, SCAQMD’s
plans are “still in flux.” In fact, an outright
elimination of perc may not be necessary. SCAQMD has asked for
a counter proposal prepared by members of IFI, HSIA, KDLA and
CCA that would still require cleaners to use 4th generation or
newer perc equipment and reduce perc usage.
For now, SCAQMD still aims to prevent
cleaners from purchasing new perc drycleaning equipment as of
January 1, 2004. Under the revised plans to amend Rule 1421,
converted perc drycleaning equipment may continue in operation
through Jan. 1, 2006 (originally 2004); perc equipment with
primary controls may run through Jan. 1, 2013 (originally
2006); and perc equipment with integral primary and secondary
controls would remain in operation until Jan. 1, 2018
(originally 2011).
Copies of the proposed rules and the
preliminary draft staff report may be obtained by calling
Martha Lucero of the Public Advisor's Office at SCAQMD District
at (909) 396-2039, or visit www.aqmd.gov for information.
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Two CARB classes set
The San Diego Dry Cleaners Association
will be offering California drycleaners certification classes
on Jan. 26 and Feb. 23.
The classes are the required California
Air Resources Board courses on the Air Toxic Control Measure.
Cost for the certification course is $100
for re-certification and $150 for first-time certification.
Advanced registration is recommended.
The class will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A
book is provided for first-time certifiers.
For more information, contact the SDDCA at
(619) 267-5390.
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