There are an estimated 2,000 active and abandoned dry-cleaning sites in North Carolina. As many as 1,500 of these sites may be contaminated with solvents used in the dry-cleaning process.  In 1997, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law to address this problem. The Dry-Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Act (DSCA) established a fund to help dry cleaners and property owners investigate and clean up contaminated dry-cleaning sites. The fund is supported by taxes collected on dry-cleaning services and solvents. DSCA also authorized the creation of rules called Minimum Management Practices (MMPs) that active dry-cleaning facilities must comply with in order to prevent environmental contamination.

The DSCA Program consists of two units: Compliance and Remediation.The Remediation Unit oversees the cleanup of contaminated dry-cleaning sites under a voluntary agreement between the program and the potentially responsible party (the dry cleaner and/or property owner). Most of the costs for cleanup are paid by the DSCA Fund.  The Compliance Unit inspects active dry-cleaning plants and enforces the MMPs and other environmental regulations.

(click on an icon to go to the remediation or compliance web sites)

News & Events

State Owned Property Fund Eligible

Senate Bill 700 included language to allow property owned by the state and contaminated with dry-cleaning solvent into the Program if the property was previously owned by a private business that is the source of the contamination.

Public Notices

Links

DENR Small Business Assistance Program for Dry-cleaners
North Carolina Association of Launderers and Cleaners
States Coalition for the Remediation of Drycleaners

Annual Reports

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Statutes and Session Law

Senate Bill 700

G.S. 143-215.104 A, TITLE: Dry-Cleaning Act of 1997

G.S. 143-215.104 B, Definitions

G.S. 143-215.104 C, Fund

G.S. 143-215.104 D, Powers of the Commission

G.S. 143-215.104 E, Repealed

G.S. 143-215.104 F, Requirements for Certification, Assessment Agreements, and Remediation Agreements

G.S. 143-215.104 G, Certification of Facilities and Abandoned Sites

G.S. 143-215.104 H, Assessment Agreements

G.S. 143-215.104 I, Remediation Agreements

G.S. 143-215.104 J, Decertification; Termination of Assessment Agreements and Remediation Agreements

G.S. 143-215.104 K, Liability Protection

G.S. 143-215.104 L, Public Notice and Community Involvement

G.S. 143-215.104 M, Notice of Dry Cleaning Solvent Remediation; Land Use Restrictions in Deeds

G.S. 143-215.104 N, Disbursement of Dry Cleaning Solvent Assessment and Remediation costs; Limitations; Cost Recovery

G.S. 143-215.104 O, Remediation of Uncertified Sites

G.S. 143-215.104 P, Enforcement Procedures; Civil Penalties

G.S. 143-215.104 Q, Enforcement Procedures; Criminal Penalties

G.S. 143-215.104 R, Enforcement Procedures; Injunctive Relief

G.S. 143-215.104 S, Appeals

G.S. 143-215.104 T, Construction of this Part

G.S. 143-215.104 U, Reporting Requirements

G.S.105-164.4, Tax Imposed on Retailers

Session Law 2001-265, Past Cost

Rules

2S Rules and Criteria for the Administration of the Dry-Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Fund