National Clothesline

The California Cleaners Association is boosting its support efforts for the Korean-American Cleaners Association of California (KCAC) who recently filed a second petition seeking a delay on the state’s perc ban adopted over two years ago by the California Air Resources Board.

The petition calls for specific amendments to Section 93109 of Title 17 California Code of Regulations approved by CARB on Jan. 25, 2007.

KCAC has urged the board to reconsider its decision believing that the perc phase-out could cause many of its members to go out of business during the current economic recession.

CCA concurs that the adoption of the regulations could have a devastating impact on statewide cleaners.

In a letter to Sacramento Governor Schwarzenegger and other officials, CCA President David Suber noted that most cleaners seeking to implement a cost-effective alternative (including Class III-A solvents such as hydrocarbon and GreenEarth) have met with a new obstruction in the form of the state’s Fire Code which requires such drycleaning facilities to install fire suppression sprinklers in order to counter the flammability flashpoints of such technologies.

In Suber’s letter, he wrote: “Even in good times, this sort of regulatory ‘whip-saw’ would present an enormous challenge for the tiny businesses which make up the bulk of California’s drycleaners. In today’s economy, the burden will absolutely result in the closure of substantial numbers of businesses, with attendant job losses.”

“We would respectfully suggest that this is absolutely the worst possible time to allow uncoordinated regulatory burdens to jeopardize an entire industry and threaten thousands of jobs,” Suber added.

So far, KCAC has submitted approximately 400 signed support letters regarding the issue. CCA hopes to add to that total with a goal of 1,000 signed letters altogether.

CCA members can use their membership number and password to view Suber’s letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger on the association’s homepage at www.calcleaners.com. Those who wish to join the petition to change the CARB rules can print out the letter, sign it, and fax it to (916) 924-7323.

As they stand now, the CARB rules call to completely eliminate perc from the drycleaning industry in 2023.

In the meantime, the solvent is already being phased out in increments. One of the first such stages was a disallowment of the sale of perc drycleaning machines in the state for the past year.

Next up, the rules will prohibit the operation of perc drycleaning machines in co-residential facilities starting July 1, 2010. That deadline also applies for the removal of any converted drycleaning machines, i.e. machines that have been modified to closed loop.

Also by July 1, 2010, statewide cleaners will be required to remove any perc machines from the premises that are 15 years or older. The removal stipulation also applies to machines whose age cannot be determined.

From that date on, no California cleaners will be allowed to have a perc machine older than 15 years in operation for their plant.

For information on the program, including a history and explanation of the perc ban rules in California, visit CARB’s web site, www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/dryclean/dryclean.htm.

The Southern California Cleaners Association will present two speakers this month at a program on how to cut costs.

Leasing expert Kelly Kelleher of Kelleher Equipment Co. will talk about how to lower your rent and Bob Clarke, The Clothes Doctor, will tell how to control inventory.

The association said that all of its meetings this year will focus on how to deal with tough economic times.

This month’s meeting will be Feb. 18 at Stevens Steak House, 5332 Stevens Place, in Commerce, CA. The discussions will follow a 6:30 p.m. cocktail hour and dinner.

Seating is limited and reservations should be made by calling (877) 445-2322.