Part 232 Hearings 

Part 232 (Dry Cleaning Facilities): Revisions to the Dry Cleaning Facility regulations have been developed which would implement the Federal ban on colocation of PERC facilities in residential locations, and other regulatory modifications to reduce exposure to PERC and streamline use of alternative solvents. The proposal was published in the State Register and the Environmental Notice Bulletin on May 10. Hearings will be June 27, 28, 29 and 30 in Albany, Depew, Stony Brook and New York City.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) is proposing to repeal and replace existing Part 232, entitled: "Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities," of Title 6 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulation of the State of New York (6 NYCRR).

Many requirements of the regulation, which went into effect in 1997, have become outdated due to major changes to the dry cleaning industry. Additionally, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) classifies perchloroethylene (perc) as a likely human carcinogen.

This rulemaking will:

• Revise the existing regulation and add several new components to improve compliance and program delivery
• Reduce perc and alternative solvent emissions to the environment;
• Address advancements in technology and changes in the industry regarding the use of alternative dry cleaning solvents; and
• Bring New York's regulation up to date with current federal requirements. 

This proposal applies to any entity that operates, or proposes to operate, approved alternate solvent or perc dry cleaning machines.

Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted to the contact listed below until 5:00 p.m. on July 7, 2017.

Hearings for the proposed rule and attendant revisions to existing rules described above will be held as follows and are scheduled in places that are reasonably accessible to persons with impaired mobility:

Date: June 27, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: NYS DEC
625 Broadway, Public Assembly Room 129A/B
Albany, NY 12233

Date: June 28, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
93 Honorine Drive
Depew, NY 14043

Date: June 29, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: SUNY @ Stony Brook
50 Circle Road, Room B02
Stony Brook, NY 11790

Date: June 30, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT)
1 Hunter's Point Plaza
47-40 21st Street, Room 834
Long Island City, NY 11101

NYS DEC will provide interpreter services for deaf persons at no charge. Written requests for interpreter services are required and should be submitted by June 20, 2017, to: Richard McAuley, NYS DEC - Division of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233-3250, Phone: (518) 402-8438, E-mail: air.regs@dec.ny.gov.

Contact: Eric Wade, NYS DEC - Division of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3250, Phone: (518) 402-8403, E-mail: air.regs@dec.ny.gov.