The DEP said that there are about 1,700 perc drycleaning machines in the state and the settlement of its claim against three Midwestern power companies whose air pollution blows toward New Jersey will help businesses using perc to change to greener technologies.
Cleaners located in residential settings and those within 50ft of a daycare centre will take priority in the funding allocation.
The grants will reimburse operators for costs incurred in removing or upgrading perc systems less than 15 years old. Qualifying businesses will be those that replace a perc system with hydrocarbon or professional wetcleaning equipment; those replacing a third-generation perc system with a fourth-generation perc machine and those removing a fourth-generation perc machine from a co-residential site without installing any new equipment.
DEP expects the average grant to be about $25,000 and is offering an additional $15,000 for operations wishing to buy a professional wetcleaning machine as well as replacing perc equipment.
The programme was announced on 4 June and since then DEP has received 26 applications and approved 23.
