Updates & Tidbits
Dry Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Law
Dry Cleaners and staff of the N.C. Division of Waste Management (DWM) will go back to the General Assembly in May 2000 to work out changes to the Dry Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Program.
Financial problems were evident early in the program. In order to be eligible for the fund, dry cleaners must demonstrate financial responsibility by (a) obtaining $1 million worth of liability insurance or posting a $1 million bond, or (b) obtaining a determination of uninsurability from the Environmental Management Commission. The DWM found out that liability insurance for existing dry cleaning facilities is virtually unavailable and most of the facilities will not be able to post bonds. This means that all contaminated dry cleaner sites would be declared uninsurable and eligible for the cleanup money.
Cleanup costs range from $167,000 per site to $4.5 million. There are more than 1,500 sites in the state that may have contamination. The balance of the fund is $418,898 which is being received from privilege and excise taxes.
Secretary Bill Holman of DENR has asked the DWM to suspend implementation of the program. Holman said program implementation will resume when the General Assembly has addressed the funding problem. DENR is moving ahead on rules to establish minimum management practices for storage and handling of solvents. These rules can
help prevent pollution from dry cleaning solvents.
South Carolina News
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will receive an additional $9.5 million dollar increase in it's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The General Assembly approved the additional funds on July 01.
Bill S.591, was passed. This allows for up to 10% dissolved oxygen reduction in waterbodies with naturally low DO, as long as none of the wildlife is affected. SCDHEC, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources must approve the reduction before it is allowed.
Factoids:
In one year, we generate enough hazardous waste to fill the New Orleans Superdome 1,500 times over.
(source: The EarthWorks Group)
There are more public libraries in the US
than McDonald's – a total of 15, 496 including branches.
(source: Kids Connect)
This newsletter is provided as a free service to clients and friends of OMNI. The information contained in this newsletter is not intended as legal advice or engineering advice. If you have specific questions or comments concerning this newsletter or its contents please contact us at OMNI Professional Environmental Associates, P.A. PO Box 13404, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3404, Phone 919-544-5442 or by email: omnipro@earthlink.net |
|
