Perc’s fate in So. Cal. is
in doubt
The future of perc use in southern
California may be decided next month by the South
Coast Air Quality Management District.
SCAQMD has revised its proposed phase-out
of perc several times since a public hearing on the matter last
September and has delayed several times since then making a
final decision on the matter. The proposal is now slated to be
taken up by the air district’s governing board on Aug. 2.
If approved, some 2,000 drycleaners under
SCAQMD’s authority in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and
San Bernardino counties would be faced with replacing their
perc equipment. Those who have newer equipment would be able to
continuing operating it for years while those with older
equipment would be looking at more immediate replacement. And
no drycleaner would be able to buy a new perc machine two years
after the law takes effect. New drycleaning equipment would
have to be of the “alternative” non-perc variety.
As envisioned by SCAQMD, there would be no
perc use in drycleaning in the four-county area by 2020. The
air district believes that the health hazards of perc are
serious enough to merit its elimination and the availability of
alternatives makes it technically feasible.
Industry groups have been arguing against
the proposal for the past year and hundreds turned out for the
hearing last September. At that time, the plan was to
completely phase out perc by 2011, but after hearing from
opponents of the plan, SCAQMD backed off and lengthened the
phase-out period.
Originally the plan was to be finalized
last December but the continuing comment and controversy has
delayed scheduled votes several times. Industry trade groups,
including the California Cleaners Association, the
International Fabricare Institute, the Halogenated Solvents
Industry Alliance, the Korean Dry Cleaners of Los Angeles and
the Greater Los Angeles Dry Cleaner Association, have marshaled
forces to fight the proposal.
The California Cleaners Association told
members that it is fighting “for your right to choose and
use the solvent you prefer.”
“In the months since this proposal
was first launched, South Coast staff has made continual
changes to their initial proposal, suggested new language,
floated new ideas and gathered additional testimony and data
through numerous local meetings and hearings but their idea of
banning perc has not changed,” CCA said.
CCA and IFI argue that cleaners with
“late-generation” perc equipment that minimizes
emissions shouldn’t be forced to buy new machines or
switch to alternatives.
“We are opposed to any legislation
that puts a ban on perc, nor can we support a legislation that
reduces a small business person’s chances of
success,” said Jon Meijer, IFI's vice president of
membership.
Meanwhile, some environmental groups are
urging SCAQMD to revert to its shorter-term perc phase-out
plan. The Coalition for Clean Air is advocating a phase
out of no longer than 10 years and is trying to rally its
members and public opinion to get that message to the air
board.
“Let your friends know that
drycleaning is toxic, and help spread the word,’ the
coalition said in its current newsletter. The group’s web
site www.coaltionforcleanair.org, features sample letters and
automatic e-mail forwarding for message to the air board in
support of its position.
SCAQMD headquarters are at 21865 E. Copley
Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765. Updated information is available on
the web site at www.aqmd.gov.
To track this issue, search on the key words “Rule
1421.”
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