Massachusetts Ban back on the Table! (Continued)

One of the other significant point that needs to be highlighted is DEP’s own contention that they feel their current regulations for perc drycleaning are significant and adequate.  In the past DEP has made that statement publicly and Industry is working to again try and garner some support from the regulators.

The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture has scheduled a public hearing on Senate 558 and House 783 for Monday, June 11, 2007 at the State House in Boston. NEFA will be coordinating an effort to contact key legislators prior to that public hearing.  NEFA will be setting up meetings during the last week of May.  If any member wishes to get involved they are urged to contact Peter Blake at the NEFA Office immediately.

While this appears on the surface to be a fight for the ability of perc users to keep using their solvent, it is actually much deeper than that.  This legislation is far reaching in scope and in intent.  Today it is Perc and the other 9 chemicals, but if passed this legislation will establish a process for banning other chemicals.  Hydrocarbon, Green Earth and DrySol could all find themselves suffering from the same potential threat.  As we have seen already from California, all three of those chemicals are undergoing some scrutiny.

Even if you don’t use perc, this fight is for your business, as you may find yourself on the other side of the situation in the very near future.  The industry’s hope is not just to pull perc off the initial list, but to fight the legislation’s entire concept.