Home
Share |

Content about Governor

September 5, 2012
Illinois Imposes Tougher Safety Measures on Perc Dry Cleaners

CHICAGO — New law mandates improved control/containment, better training, more comprehensive reporting

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law to impose tougher safety measures on the use of perchloroethylene (perc) by the state’s dry cleaners. House Bill 4526 requires Illinois dry cleaners to utilize “best management practices” while using the solvent.

The legislation includes improved control and containment systems, better training, and more comprehensive reporting, the governor’s office says.

The law will require all new dry cleaning machines operating in Illinois, beginning in 2013, to have “primary and secondary” control systems to reduce the concentration of perc, and to have sealed containment structures to contain leaks or spills by 2014.

“If improperly handled, dry cleaning solvents can seep into our groundwater and skies, and pose a threat to workers,” Quinn says. “This new law will help protect our drinking water, and we salute the dry cleaning industry — and especially the Korean American Drycleaners Association — for partnering with environmental advocates to get this done.”

June 4, 2012
Conn. Governor Recognizes Best Cleaners for Decade of ‘Green’ Dry Cleaning

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Conversion to GreenEarth® was good business decision, owner says

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — When Best Cleaners owners Bill and Shawn McCann completed the conversion of their family-owned business to the GreenEarth® dry cleaning method a decade ago, they knew it was the right move for many reasons.

Despite the significant cost of modifying equipment in all 11 Connecticut locations, they believed that switching from perc to the environmentally safe silicone-based solvent would be a win-win for everyone. Customers’ clothing and household goods would be treated to a kinder, gentler cleaning process while chemical odors would become a distant memory. Soon, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection recognized Best with a Green Circle Award for voluntarily implementing a facility-wide pollution prevention plan.

In recognition of Best’s leadership and commitment to keeping Connecticut green, Connecticut State Sen. Paul Doyle recently presented the McCanns with a citation from Gov. Dannel “Dan” Malloy honoring the 10th anniversary milestone and Best’s ongoing community support.

November 2, 2010
Solvair Cleaning System Honored by Illinois Governor and ISTC

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Solvair LLC was awarded the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award for its Solvair Cleaning System technology. The award was presented at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center’s (ISTC) 27th Annual Award Ceremony in Champaign, Ill., last month. The ISTC award honors organizations for significant achievements in protecting the environment, helping sustain the future and improving the economy. A record number of companies were considered this year.

June 16, 2010
California Assembly Bans Free Single-Use Bags, Poly Bags Next?

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Assembly passed a bill last week to ban all single-use bags from being handed out free of charge in the state’s supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores and liquor stores. The measure now goes to the state’s Senate and then to the Governor. A spokesman for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he supports the bill.

March 2, 2010
Banks May Be Easing Lending Requirements, Federal Reserve Says

WASHINGTON — U.S. banks seem to be starting to ease requirements for small-business lending, although credit remains abnormally tight, according to Federal Reserve Governor Elizabeth Duke.

“Bank attitudes toward lending, including small-business lending, may be shifting,” she said in testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services and Committee on Small Business.

February 24, 2010
Who’s Cleaning Up in Illinois?

The old saying, “There’s no sense crying over spilt milk” could apply to Chicago’s recent contamination problems. However, spilt milk can be cleaned up with a towel; solvents are considerably more difficult.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m all for a clean environment. I’m also for a free market. But in the free market of the last century, many businesses took their chances with sloppy housekeeping.

October 26, 2009
Fulton Wins $1.5 Million Grant for Expansion

PULASKI, N.Y. — New York’s Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund has awarded the Fulton Cos., manufacturer of steam, hot water and thermal fluid heat-transfer products, a $1.5 million grant to expand its facilities. New York Gov. David A. Paterson announced the award during a visit to Fulton headquarters in Pulaski, N.Y., last month.

October 13, 2009
Nu-Yale Cleaners Wins Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Nu-Yale Cleaners recently won a 2009 Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence during the annual Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade Show.

The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence recognize business leaders who have identified and implemented environmental practices into their programs and facilities with measurable results, according to Nu-Yale Cleaners. The company attributes its winning of the award to its installation of a Solvair Cleaning System.

December 22, 2008
Pa. Small Businesses Get Grants for 'Ecofriendly' Equipment Purchases

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Eighty-one small businesses in Pennsylvania that invest in energy efficiency and cut wasteful pollution are getting more than $454,000 in grants to purchase equipment through the state’s Small Business Advantage Program. Together, seven drycleaners and coin laundries in the state received $49,452 in grants.

November 26, 2007
Pennsylvania Issues New Round of Grants

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced that the state issued $521,000 in grants this month, helping 89 small businesses incorporate equipment that will improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution. Four drycleaning plants and 12 coin-op laundries took advantage of the 50% matching grants.

August 1, 2007
DOL Releases New Minimum Wage Poster

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released a revised Federal minimum wage poster to reflect the recently enacted increases to the minimum wage. The poster can be viewed, downloaded and printed from its website, www.dol.gov.