Perc may get reprieve in Chicago
What started out looking like a total ban
on perc in Chicago has been revised to the point that it
appears perc won’t be banned at all.
Chicago Alderman Edward Burke, who last
October proposed an ordinance calling for elimination of perc
use by Chicago drycleaners as of this June, now appears ready
to introduce a revised ordinance that allows the continued use
of perc as long as drycleaners meet mileage standards.
Andrew Raucci, a lobbyist retained by the
Neighborhood Cleaners Association, said last month that Burke
has agreed to eliminate from his proposal a ban on the use of
perc in Chicago hotels and buildings that include residences.
After meeting with other industry
representatives late last year, Burke backed off from his
original plan for a total ban on perc in favor of set mileage
standards for drycleaners with the aim of reducing, but not
eliminating, perc use.
No date for a hearing on Burke’s
ordinance by the City Council’s Public Health Committee
has been set. Raucci said that with aldermanic elections coming
up in late February, it’s not likely the committee will
hold a hearing at least until March.
Burke’s re-election is not in doubt
— he is running unopposed. An alderman since 1971, he was
characterized by Raucci as the most powerful member of the
Chicago City Council due to his chairmanship of the Finance
Committee, which Raucci likened to being chairman of the U.S.
House Ways and Means Committee.
Raucci noted that over the years Burke has
been “very active on this type of issue.” He is
currently pushing for a smoking ban in Chicago.
When the ordinance comes for a hearing
before the Public Health Committee, Raucci said he expects
Burke to offer amendments that reflect his discussions with
industry representatives over the past few months.
If that goes as planned, and the ordinance
passes, Chicago cleaners would have to be using at least fourth
generation equipment by 2007. Also, beginning that year, perc
mileage would need to be at least 1,000 pounds of clothes
cleaned per gallon of solvent.
The mileage requirements would be stepped
up to 1,200 pounds per gallon by 2010 and 1,400 pounds per
gallon in 2017.
All garments cleaned in the plant,
including those cleaned by non-perc methods such as
wetcleaning, would be factored into the mileage calculations.
There could also be consideration for factoring in perc in the
waste stream when making efficiency calculations.
Also under the proposal, compliance
guidelines already in effect in the industry would become
mandatory for all cleaners.
 |
