Dry cleaning solvent perc banned; dry cleaners get priority for cleanup funds

Minnesota is the first state to ban dry cleaners from using the chemical perchloroethylene, which is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a "likely carcinogen."

Per a new law, “After December 31, 2025, using perchloroethylene as a dry cleaning solvent is prohibited.”

The new law, effective March 24, 2021, also appropriates $355,000 from the remediation fund for a cost-share program to reimburse owners or operators of dry cleaning facilities for up to $20,000 of the costs of transitioning away from PERC. This onetime appropriation is available until June 30, 2024.

Additionally, the law appropriates $213,000 from the dry cleaning environmental response and reimbursement account for reimbursements for cleanup costs of hazardous dry cleaning solvents that have been released to the environment, and it cancels the unexpended portion of a 2020 appropriation, estimated to be $255,000.

The law also requires the Pollution Control Agency to prioritize reimbursing the costs of environmental response actions undertaken by dry cleaner operators and the agency itself before reimbursing other eligible costs from the dry cleaner environmental response and reimbursement account. Previously, funds were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

State law requires dry cleaning facilities to pay annual registration fees, which go to the account, as do fees on dry cleaning solvents.

The law is sponsored by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) and Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandra).

HF91*/SF167/CH5

HF0091* / SF0167 / CH5