Cleaners plea to save perc in New Jersey

Cleaners plea to save perc in New Jersey http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html Taking time away from their shops on a busy Friday, more than 100 cleaners packed into a hearing room to tell representatives of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that a planned phase-out of perchloroethylene would have drastic and perhaps fatal consequences for their drycleaning businesses. Click here for details. A contingent of Korean cleaners sported t-shirts with the message: “Don’t Take My Business Away.” http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#0 05d20889-258c-4cb2-b1d7-3bcaeed10982 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180036.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180036.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A contingent of Korean cleaners sported t-shirts with the message: “Don’t Take My Business Away.”</p></div></div> About 50 speakers testified at the hearing, all in opposition. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#1 71d75920-83e2-4194-b5ae-8b30c08d7dc0 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180018.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180018.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">About 50 speakers testified at the hearing, all in opposition.</p></div></div> Representatives of the New Jersey DEP listened but offered no response and gave no indication how they will decide the issue. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#2 06ae087d-d522-4b69-9392-445fa41dfe21 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180051.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180051.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Representatives of the New Jersey DEP listened but offered no response and gave no indication how they will decide the issue.</p></div></div> Bill Fisher of DLI questioned the California data used by the DEP in developing its proposal. Other states that have examined the issue decided there is no need for more regulation. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#3 3ec4d214-8fd2-47ae-86de-853ef700ffd2 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180025.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180025.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Bill Fisher of DLI questioned the California data used by the DEP in developing its proposal. Other states that have examined the issue decided there is no need for more regulation.</p></div></div> Steve Risotto of HSIA said the practical effect of the rule would have many cleaners either buying an alternative solvent machine of closing their businesses. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#4 482d86dd-4366-4ddf-86dd-deae4324a197 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180048.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180048.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Steve Risotto of HSIA said the practical effect of the rule would have many cleaners either buying an alternative solvent machine of closing their businesses.</p></div></div> David Cotter of TCATA noted that cleaners have reduced perc usage by 90% over the last 30 years. He also said that actual usage by cleaners is less than the DEP has estimated. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#5 b5e191f7-2532-449c-82a7-50e907e67bdb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180044.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180044.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">David Cotter of TCATA noted that cleaners have reduced perc usage by 90% over the last 30 years. He also said that actual usage by cleaners is less than the DEP has estimated.</p></div></div> A translator (right) assisted some of the Korean cleaners with their testimony. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#6 38103028-690d-48f4-9c47-158564636d69 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180032.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180032.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">A translator (right) assisted some of the Korean cleaners with their testimony. </p></div></div> The audience was attentive throughout nearly five hours of testimony. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#7 216f9494-be1c-4aab-ae56-d39f38a96d3c http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180029.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180029.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">The audience was attentive throughout nearly five hours of testimony. </p></div></div> http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#8 18ebcc11-4f35-4215-b533-30d6f2d04fc3 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180020.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180020.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"/></div> Testimony by cleaners focused on the hardship they expect from the  phase-out. They are already  suffering from declining business  and higher expenses. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#9 2479dabe-ebcf-4b6b-bc61-12da997a20b3 http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180037.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180037.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Testimony by cleaners focused on the hardship they expect from the <br/>phase-out. They are already <br/>suffering from declining business <br/>and higher expenses.</p></div></div> Cleaners in co-residential locations would have to replace perc by July 2009. Some said they simply could not afford to by a new cleaning machine so soon. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#10 a3fcac17-71ae-41ac-bb46-fc6bc74c84bb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180038.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180038.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Cleaners in co-residential locations would have to replace perc by July 2009. Some said they simply could not afford to by a new cleaning machine so soon.</p></div></div> Although the total phase-out doesn’t take effect until 2021, an estimated 1,100 third-generation machines would have to be replaced or upgraded by the end of next year. http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,.html#11 8453d2f4-42bd-4512-af8a-143724af0efc http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180041.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.mac.com/clothesline/Site/New_Jersey_DEP_Hearing_Jan_18,_files/Media/P1180041.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_206_70"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Although the total phase-out doesn’t take effect until 2021, an estimated 1,100 third-generation machines would have to be replaced or upgraded by the end of next year.</p></div></div>