Smart Business Leaders A
r e
getting the
GREEN
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StarTrack encourages companies to
undertake environmental management
system and compliance audits, then be
certified by an independent third party—
a trusted source other than the govern-
ment or the company itself. StarTrack
participants qualify for facilitated access
to EPA's assistance programs, fewer
inspections, and enforcement discretion;
they may also be eligible for streamlined
permitting and reporting requirements, if
they certify that their performance goes
beyond compliance.
C
3
CO
During the past 25 years, EPA's New
England Office has attained environmental
improvements by creating and enforcing
regulations, bringing some of the most
recalcitrant of companies into compliance
with the threat of enforcement. We
recognize that the majority of businesses
are law-abiding and work hard to follow
the rules and stay profitable. And we
recognize that enforcement must
continue to be an important part of our
work, to insure a level playing field for all
businesses. The programs outlined in this
brochure represent important new ways
we can assure compliance.
f/EPA
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
EFA901-K-001
April 1997
Region 1, New England
Smart Business
Leaders
Are
getting the
IGRE N
back
The New England Environmental
Assistance Team (NEEATeam)
stands ready to help businesses incorpo-
rate pollution prevention technologies
into their compliance strategies. We
have targeted our initial efforts in the
following sectors: printing, metal
plating /finishing, computers/electron-
ics, wood product coating, auto
repair/finishing, municipalities, and
technical, trade, and vocational schools.
"We can continue to put the public
health first, but at the same time,
under current law, we can operate in
more flexible, common sense, inte-
grated and less burdensome ways."
-Carol Browner, EPA Administrator
Complying with environmental laws isn't
always easy, but our assistance programs
make it possible for New England
businesses to "Get the Green Back."
While EPA has adopted a variety of new
tools to assist responsible businesses, we
haven't forgotten those who break the
law. On behalf of the overwhelming
number of companies who have seen the
light, we'll continue to pursue those who
dare to compromise the quality of New
England's environment. Tell us who they
are. All calls are confidential, and anony-
mous tips are welcome.
Call 1-888-EPA-TIPS.
Call 1-888-EPA-7341
visit our website:
http://www.epa.gov/region01
ree nin g
th
nvironment
rowi ng the
conomy
Call:1-888-EPA-7341
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a guide to Assistance
Programs available through
EPA's New England Office
At EPA's New England Office, we
recognize that businesses and industries
are key players not only for New
England's economy, but for her environ-
ment as well. EPA has reinvented itself to
better help the business community
improve environmental performance by
offering a menu of bold, new voluntary
programs. We now have the nation's
largest office dedicated solely to helping
businesses take care of the environment.
We seek to tap corporate innovations
and professional knowledge to bring
about even greater environmental results.
EPA's New England Office reaches out
to businesses with user-friendly assis-
tance programs designed with one thing
in mind: helping New England busi-
nesses improve their environmental
performance while preserving their
financial health—or to put it more
simply, "Get the Green Back."
These programs provide businesses with
information on and access to compliance
and pollution prevention assistance,
regulatory flexibility, public recognition,
green technologies, environmental
management systems, and our small
business ombudsman. This brochure
provides a sampling of our innovative
assistance programs.
The Center for Environmental
Industry and Technology (CEIT)
capitalizes on the region's rich environ-
mental industry, promoting innovative
technologies that help protect public
health and the environment while
growing the regional economy. CEIT is
a catalyst for bringing new environmen-
tal technologies to the marketplace by
providing the following: improved
access to state and federal programs
and funding; opportunities for technolo-
gists to demonstrate the potential of
their product; and expanded access to
investors and other sources of capital.
A bold new regional recognition
program open to any New England
business, municipality, or organized
group, Partners for Change suggests
ways to improve environmental
performance and provides resources,
information, support, and encourage-
ment. To be recognized as a Partner,
develop environmental goals for your
organization and share them with
employees, undertake at least one
activity that results in a substantial and
permanent environmental benefit, and
fill out the simple application to tell us
what you did. If you meet the require-
ments, EPA will recognize you with a
window decal, a certificate, the right to
market yourself as a Partner for
Change, and more.
Project XL encourages corporate
ingenuity to test innovative, real-world
strategies that achieve cleaner and
cheaper environmental results than
traditional regulatory approaches. We
encourage companies to find a better
way to get the job done than the
regulations require, and in return, EPA
will rewrite the rule book. The goal is
to accelerate environmental and
economic progress while improving
the regulatory system.
The Small Business Ombudsman
serves as a liaison between small
businesses and EPA's New England
Office, facilitating communications
between the small business community
and the agency. This office provides
regulatory/technical assistance infor-
mation, technical literature, and speak-
ers, interfaces with small business
trade associations, and assists small
businesses during enforcement actions.
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Smart Business Leaders Are . . .
Greening the Environment
GREEN
Growi ng the
Economy
back
1-888-EPA-7341
http://www.epa.gov/region01
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Smart Business Leaders Are . . .
getting the
GREEN
back
a guide to
Assistance Programs
available through
o EPA's
New England Office
Technical Assistance New England Environmental Assistance Team
CLEAN
WasteWi$e
Green Technology CEIT
Green Lights
ENERGYSTAR
Management Systems StarTrack
Environmental Cost Accounting
Regulatory Flexibility Project XL
Common Sense Initiative (CSI)
Recognition Environmental Leadership Program (ELP)
Partners For Change
Safe Drinking Water Business Award Program
Environmental Merit Awards
Small Business Programs Small Business Ombudsman
Small Business Compliance Incentive Policy
•
•
A
•
*
*
•
•
• - eligible • - eligible if under 100 total employees * - eligible in che state of Maine A - eligible in the states of Maine. Rhode Island, and New Hampshire
' companies with a strong environmental compliance record © printed on 50% recycled, 20% post-consumer paper
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Assistance Programs
For information call:
1-888-EPA-7341
visit our website at:
http://www.epa.gov/region01
Technical Assistance
NEEATeam - A' full'range of compliance assistance activities including training,
compliance manuals, over-the-phone tech and compliance assistance, referral to state
on-site assistance providers, and more.
CLEAN - Help for on-site compliance and pollution prevention audits, offering
limited enforcement amnesty in return for a commitment to incorporate a pollution
prevention program.
WasteWi$e - Information and assistance for solid waste reduction and recycling
opportunities.
Green Technology
CEIT - Addressing the needs of the environmental 'industry by;
.• improving the industries' ability to access state and federal programs;'
• increasing access to technology demonstrations;
• increasing access to capital;
• removing regulatory and institutional barriers facing the environmental industry; and
• marketing environmental products and technologies.
Green Lights - Information and referrals for on-site energy-efficient lighting, audits.
ENERGYSTAR - Information and guidance to business owners seeking energy savings
through facility improvements and office equipment'purchases.
Management Systems
• StarTrack - Enables companies to pilot environmental compliance and management
system audits in combination with third party certification. Participating companies
benefit from limited enforcement amnesty, no routine inspections,, simplified
reporting, and'expedited permitting.
Environmental Cost Accounting - Publications and information about EGA
benefits, system options, .and.'expert assistance referrals.
Regulatory Flexibility
Project XL - Provides flexibility concerning current regulatory approaches while
encouraging real-world tests of innovative strategies that achieve superior environ-
mental 'results.
Common Sense Initiative - A national initiative examining a full range of
environmental -requirements impacting six industrial sectors. CSI proposals can result
in cleaner,, cheaper, smarter changes to regulations, enforcement programs, reporting
.and record keeping requirements, and permitting programs.
Recognition
Environmental Leadership Program - (ELP) Recognition of companies that
are environmental leaders. ELP encourages development, demonstration, and testing
of innovative and' comprehensive approaches to increased environmental compliance
and pollution prevention.
•Partners -For Change'- Information, resources, support, and recognition for
undertaking environmental actions that are economically feasible.
Safe Drinking Water Business Award Program - Recognition for New
England businesses that have, helped protect drinking water supplies.
Environmental Merit Awards - Recognition for environmental leaders judged on
the following: promotion of innovative ideas, techniques, or technologies; ability to assess
'an environmental need; accomplishment of stated goals;, ability of the program to be
replicated or shared; collaboration with others; and long-term environmental benefit.
Small Business Assistance
Small Business Ombudsman - Serves as an advocate for small businesses.
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Technical Assistance
COMPLIANCE LEADERSHIP THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL
AUDITING AND NEGOTIATION (CLEAN):
CLEAN offers small and medium-sized businesses free, on-site compliance and pollution preven-
tion audits, as well as limited enforcement discretion for violations discovered during the process,
in exchange for an agreement to correct violations and undertake a "beyond compliance" pollution
prevention project. EPA's New England Office has awarded $300,000 in grants to non-govern-
ment organizations — the University of New Hampshire, Maine Center for Technology Transfer,
and Narragansett Bay Commission, for example — to establish multi-disciplinary technical assis-
tance teams that will conduct in-depth pollution prevention assessments at metal finishing compa-
nies in Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. This program is offered to printers and wood
product coaters in Maine.
CONTACT:
Austine Frawley
e-mail: frawley.austine@epamail.epa.gov
In addition to my company's free assessment, the CLEAN program gave me
access to tap the tremendous resources and knowledge of the EPA and state
staff members with whom / now have ongoing working relationships. For a
small company like us to be able to work with the federal government to
make things better in a realistic way has been truly gratifying . . . particularly
for those of us who lack resources and had always heard of things second-
hand. I would now feel comfortable calling my EPA contacts anytime."
—Roland Chenard, Granite State Plating Company, Inc.
WASTEWI$E:
WasteWi$e offers an array of services intended to strengthen and assist company waste reduction
programs including:
• a WasteWi$e representative dedicated to each partner;
•a helpline and extensive library of resources;
•tip sheets on brief topics; and
• WasteWi$e newsletter featuring partners' successful waste reduction efforts.
Much of our technical assistance information emphasizes waste prevention, an area of great
cost-saving opportunity. Future assistance will focus on areas with the biggest opportunities, such
as transport packaging and office paper reduction. More than 500 organizations participate in
the WasteWi$e program nationally. If you are not currently a WasteWi$e partner, we invite you
to join in this cost-saving and innovative effort to reduce solid waste.
CONTACT:
WasteWi$e Helpline 1-800-EPA-WISE
Call 1-888-EPA-7341
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NEW ENGLAND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE TEAM
(NEEATeam):
EPA's New England Office founded the NEEATeam in 1995 to help New England businesses:
• comply with environmental laws;
• benefit from pollution prevention; and
•green their local environment while growing their own bottom line.
The NEEATeam provides an accessible, flexible assistance presence, so businesses can get
straight answers to tough .questions. Taking a sector-specific approach, the NEEATeam supplies
in-depth background information and assistance to the following sectors: printing, metal
finishing, computers/electronics, wood product coating, auto repair and refinishing, municipalities,
and technical, trade, and "vocational schools. With a special focus on small businesses, the team
has provided:
•training workshops on pollution prevention and emerging technologies;.
• round table discussions to raise and resolve issues; arid
•written resources, such as compliance manuals and a guide to financing pollution
prevention projects.
CONTACTS:
Automotive Repair and Finishing
Mary Deyer, dever,mary@epamail.epa.gov
Computers and Electronics
Christine Bonica, bonica.christine@epamail.epa.gov.
Andrew Miniuks, miniuks.andrew@epamail.epa.gov
Metal Finishing
Linda Darveau,. darveau.linda@epamail.epa.gov
Municipalities
Jack Healey, healey.jack@epamail.epa.gov
Charles' Conway, conway.charles@epamail.epa.gov
Printing
Anne Leiby, leiby.ahne@epamail.epa.gov
Sally,Mansur, mansur.sally@epama.il.epa.gov
Technical, Trade, and Vocational Schools
Lee MacMichael, macmichael.lee@epamail.epargov
Wood Products Coating
Andrew Miniuks,miniuks.andrew@epamair.epa.gov
"We installed a high-tech ammonia etching regeneration system which reduced
ammonia usage from 130,000 to less than 30,000 pounds annually, saving us tens
of thousands of dollars beginning from day one, as well as making a positive impact
on the environment."
—Chris Ford, Printed Circuit Corporation
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Green Technologies
In New England, the environmental industry not only supplies innovative solutions to tough
problems, it accounts for more than $10 billion of the gross regional product and 150,000 jobs.
Consistent with efforts throughout the Clinton Administration to work more closely with the
technology community, EPA's New England Office has launched an ambitious program to promote
this vital industry and to help new, cost-effective technologies find their way into the marketplace.
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY:
EPA's New England Office has opened the Center for Environmental Industry and Technology
(CEIT), which addresses the needs of the New England environmental industry by:
• improving access to state and federal programs;
•offering technology demonstration and evaluation opportunities;
•expanding access to capital;
•bringing down regulatory and institutional barriers; and
• marketing environmental products and innovative technologies both here and abroad.
EPA is achieving these goals through a variety of approaches. Since 1995, CEIT has directed
$4.9 million into innovative technologies by funding approximately 20 projects. CEIT also hosts six
"Golden Opportunities" seminars with topics ranging from technology transfer to financing to
international export opportunities. CEIT's Environmental Venture Capita Forum brings together
environmental technology developers, investors, and regulatory experts to hear from pre-
screened companies seeking funding for cutting-edge environmental services and technologies.
In 1996, CEIT added a series of Technology Fairs that brings together members of the regulated
community to learn about important new regulations facing their industries.
CONTACT:
Jim Cabot
e-mail: cabot.jim@epamail.epa.gov
"The new program will be good for the environment... And it will help the economy—
especially, we believe, manufacturing—by reducing the regulatory costs of doing
business in New England. We hope that this is only the start of a major effort to
reduce regulatory redundancies in our region,"
—Providence Journal Editorial (Oct. 9, 1996) in reference to
CEIT's Interstate Regulatory Cooperation Project
Call 1-888-EPA-7341
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GREEN LIGHTS:
EPA's Green Lights Program encourages the widespread use of energy-efficient lighting; ighting
accounts for 20 to 25 percent of all electricity sold in the United States. All facilities are eligible for
this program that saves energy, money, and the environment. Too often, organizations treat
lighting as overhead rather than an opportunity for investment. If Green Lights were fully imple-
mented in all facility space in the United States, it would: conserve energy—saving over 65 million
kilowatts of eectricity annually; save money—reducing the nation's annual electric bill by $16 billion
per year; reduce pollution—eliminating carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide re eases
equivalent to 12% of U.S. utility emissions, which would curb acid rain and smog and help slow the
greenhouse effect.
In New England, more than 200 businesses, local governments, and other organizations have
become Green Lights partners. Collectively, they have installed over 280 million square feet of
energy-efficient lighting. In 1996, the installation of energy-efficient lighting in New England pre-
vented carbon dioxide pollution equivalent to the amount produced by 12,000 automobiles.
Additionally, significant reductions were realized in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions,
which create smog and contribute to respiratory illnesses. Completed energy-efficient upgrades
through the New England Green Lights Program saved 156 million kilowatt hours of electricity
and more than $39 million in cumulative electric bill savings.
ENERGYSTAR BUILDINGS:
Information and guidance is available to business owners interested in achieving additional energy
savings by developing and implementing an ongoing preventative maintenance plan, installing
better insulation, and upgrading ventilation systems, heating/cooling systems, and lighting, with
low capital expenditures.
ENERGYSTAR OFFICE EQUIPMENT:
When buying office equipment, the ENERGYSTAR label indicates lower energy usage without loss of
performance. Computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines with this label "power down" when
not in use.
ENERGYSTAR SMALL BUSINESS:
This program offers accurate, unbiased information on energy-efficient equipment through a toll-
free hotline and an interactive website. Available information includes: how to survey and upgrade
your equipment; a lender-registry of banks, uti ities, and other financing available for small business
efficiency upgrades; and educational and public relations material, to promote your success.
CONTACT:
Norman Willard
e-mail: willard.norman@epamail.epa.gov
"The Gneeo U$tt$ program bos enhanced our &&$&<$& Image as an environmental
leader, generated HmUess business* and reduced mtr facility operating costs,.*
Ziegenbein, Manager of Energy Rrofrans Osriim Sylvanii,
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Environmental Management Systems
STARTRACK:
EPA's New England Office has a great deal to offer companies that want to do their part to
protect the environment. In some ways, our boldest initiative promoting environmental steward-
ship is the new StarTrack program, in which companies voluntarily agree to assess their environ-
mental management system (EMS) and compliance performance, and to have this performance
certified by a third party in a public report. In return, EPA offers limited enforcement discretion,
reduced inspections, and expedited permitting. The public also benefits, through better and more
readily available information about a company's environmental performance.
EPA and the participating company work together to develop guidelines for audits of the
company's compliance and environmental management systems by a third party. They also
develop standards or qualifications for an auditor and the substance of the compliance certifica-
tion, but the company is free to establish its own internal procedures to meet agreed-upon envi-
ronmental goals. Additionally, EPA's New England Office and the company develop a schedule for
correcting any first-time violations uncovered during audits. So long as the company meets this
schedule, and the violation: 1) is neither criminal in nature nor presents an imminent and substan-
tial danger to human health or the environment, or 2) has not resulted in a significant economic
benefit, EPA will take no enforcement action for that violation.
EPA's Ties to ISO 14000: ISO's (International Standards Organization) Environmental Management
Standards are a series of voluntary standards and guidelines that include environmental manage-
ment systems, eco-labeling, environmental auditing, life-cycle assessment, environmental perfor-
mance evaluation, and environmental aspects in product standards. ISO's standards do not set
requirements for environmental compliance or for specific levels of pollution prevention and
performance.
Like ISO 14000, StarTrack encourages businesses to scrutinize their environmental compliance and
management system, set goals, and establish plans for improving performance. The program
strives to build on a company's environmental management system, focusing on "beyond compli-
ance" environmenta performance. Companies making efforts to meet the ISO 14000 standards
will be in a great position to participate in StarTrack.
CONTACT:
David Guest
e-mail: guest.david@epamail.epa.gov
"By preventing pollution, we can have significant savings in production costs."
—Ronald V. Fernandes, Executive Vice President at Acushnet Rubber
Call 1-888-EPA-7341
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ENVIRONMENTAL COST ACCOUNTING:
The suggested first step in preventing pollution is to create a consistent system for evaluating and
addressing the environmental implications of activities. A key component to any environmental
management system is the measurement of environmental performance, .although these systems
often fail to recognize the significance of financial measurement in this process. Unfortunately,
most accounting systems do not provide accurate and timely environmental cost information
because these costs are usually included in overhead accounts.
.Environmental accounting can be defined differently, depending on the situation. For a firm that
uses financial accounting for external audiences, environmental accounting refers to the estimation
of environmental liabilities and financially material environmental costs that are publicly reported.
For those that use managerial accounting for .internal purposes, use of. environmental accounting
refers to .data about environmental costs and performance that helps in decision-making arid
operations..
.Many environmental costs can be significantly reduced or eliminated as a result of business deci-
sions, Including the sale of wastes or clean technology licensing and more accurate costing and
pricing of products, which can 'aid in the design .of more environmentally preferable processes,
products, or services in the future; Accounting for environmental costs and performance can
support the development and operation of an overall environmental management system.
EPA's New England Office offers environmental cost accounting literature to help, businesses
move "in the right direction, EPA's ^Environmental Accounting Project is based at our office in
Washington, DC, where they-perform education, research, guidance, and outreach.
CONTACT:
EPA's Pollution Prevention Clearinghouse
tel: (202) 260-1023
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Regulatory Flexibility
For the first time in EPA's history, we are inviting members of the regulated community to come
forward with new ideas, which may actually require us to rewrite the rules. Both Project XL and
the CSI are designed to change the rules, if businesses can achieve a superior environmental
outcome as a result.
PROJECT XL (excellence in Leadership):
Project XL encourages real-world tests of innovative strategies that achieve cleaner environmental
results than traditional regulatory approaches. EPA will grant regulatory flexibility in exchange for
use of innovative approaches. This flexibility could come in the form of a new interpretation, a
streamlined administrative process, or the actual changing of a rule. EPA's New England Office
accepts and reviews XL applications on a rolling basis.
CONTACT:
Anne Kelly
e-mail: kelly.annel@epamail.epa.gov
COMMON SENSE INITIATIVE (CSI):
CSI develops cleaner, cheaper, smarter environmental strategies for targeted sectors such as
computer and electronics, metal finishing, iron and steel, petroleum refining, and printing. Under
the program, EPA's New England Office has facilitated advisory committees that include represen-
tatives from industry, national environmental groups, community-based organizations, labor, and
federal, state, and local government to examine the full range of environmental requirements that
impact these sectors. CSI proposals may result in changes to existing and planned regulations,
enforcement programs, reporting/record keeping requirements, or permitting programs.
CONTACT:
Mark Mahoney
e-mail: mahoney.mark@epamail.epa.gov
"[We] look forward to implementing our [XL project]. In our continuing efforts to be a
good corporate citizen and a good steward of the environment, we believe that we can
demonstrate that greater environmental benefits can be achieved through regulatory
flexibility. Our project to enhance the recycling of both regulated and non-regulated
waste streams will not only benefit HADCO, but will be a pilot for our industry to
further these environmental benefits."
-Lee Wilmot, Director of SAFFTY, Health & Environmental Affairs at HADCO Corp.
Call 1-888-EPA-7341
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Recognition
EPA 's New England Office is committed to recognizing businesses that are going the extra
"environmental mile." Those who manage to go green and stay in the black deserve special thanks
and a leadership designation that will get the attention of clients, colleagues, and competitors. For
too long, we have put the spotlight on environmental criminals without acknowledging superior
environmental performers. The following programs are designed to make good businesses look
even better by giving them the recognition they deserve.
PARTNERS FOR CHANGE:
Maybe you own a business and would like to be cleaner and greener, but have no idea where to
start. As your "partner for change," EPA's New England Office will show you the path to environ-
mental improvement. Your business doesn't have to actually be in the environmental arena-
anyone can be a Partner for Change. The program offers businesses a free environmental "pocket-
book" of ideas on everything from recycling and energy efficiency to waste reduction, available to
every New England business. In return for implementing tips in the book, EPA will recognize and
reward your company by putting it in the Business to Business Directory and highlighting it in our
EPA press releases. A window decal and certificate, as well as your own marketing materials, will
tell your customers, colleagues, and insurers that you are a Partner for Change.
CONTACT:
Partners For Change
e-mail: partners.region1@epamail.epa.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:
Companies who apply and are awarded the Environmental Leader designation receive more than
special recognition and thanks. In return for developing and testing new approaches to environ-
mental compliance and pollution prevention, they qualify for:
•facilitated access to EPA's assistance program including Green Lights, Climate Wise,
WasteWi$e, etc.; and
•fewer inspections, enforcement discretion, expedited permitting, streamlined monitoring/reporting
requirements, and facility-specific benefits.
CONTACT:
Gina Snyder
e-mail: snyder.gina@epamail.epa.gov
Call 1-888-EPA-7341
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ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS:
Every year at a special Earth Day ceremony, EPA's New England Office presents a merit award to
businesses that have had an outstanding environmental record during the previous year. Any
business that has promoted and implemented an innovative idea or technology, which can be
shared with others and/or will have positive long-term environmental effects, is eligible; Winners
are mentioned in EPA press releases and receive a certificate of recognition.
CONTACT:
Kathleen. Bogie
e-mail: bogie.kathleen@epamail.epa.gov
DRINKING WATER PROTECTION AWARDS PROGRAM:
At EPA's New'England Office, we recognize that businesses can be a partner, in~ resource protec-
tion, not just a potential source of grburidwater contamination. Only by fostering such partner-
ships can we expect to achieve success in,protecting New England's drinking water supplies. Any
business that has made a demonstrated commitment to protecting drinking water supplies
deserves the special recognition we provide through:
•publicity of business efforts in press releases and workshops around New England;
•participation iri an awards ceremony and a unique plaque suitable for display; and
• recognition of efforts to protect drinking water sources, including certificates for all nominated
businesses.
CONTACT:
Mary Jcj Feuerbach
e-mail:-feuerbach.maryjo@epamail.epa.gov
"At Texas Instruments, we know that what ;'s good for the environment is good for
business. Everything we have done to institute a sound environmental management
system we would do whether or not the government recognized us. The recognition
from [EPA Region 1, New England] for being an environmental leader is icing on
the cake. It has helped [us] gain a competitive advantage and to differentiate
ourselves from our competitors."
—Ray Lazotte, Texas Instruments
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Small Business Assistance
SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN:
EPA's New England Office recognizes that the small businesses that fuel the region's economy
often have a difficult time understanding and meeting environmental requirements while staying in
the black. We've appointed an ombudsman to help small businesses make sense of environmental
requirements and find assistance to improve their environmental performance.
Small businesses employ 53 percent of the private work force in the United States, contribute 47
percent of all sales in the country, and are responsible for 50 percent of the gross domestic
product. Of the 3.3 million jobs created during 1994, an estimated 62 percent were produced in
industries dominated by small businesses.
Small businesses are eligible for many of our business assistance programs, but to ensure that
small businesses get the attention they deserve, we have expanded the activities of our Small
Business Ombudsman to include the following functions:
•serve as liaison between small business and EPA to improve access to EPA;
•provide regulatory and technical assistance;
• offer a collection of informational and technical literature;
• interface with trade associations, small business organizations, and state ombudsmen who
serve businesses on the local level; and
•serve as an advocate for small businesses in agency enforcement cases.
CONTACT:
Dwight Peavey
e-mail: peavey.dwight@epamail.epa.gov
"[EPA's Small Business Ombudsman] has brought the concerns and needs of
small businesses to the attention and focus of our partnership—resulting in many
examples of assistance and benefits for small businesses,"
—New Hampshire Pollution Prevention Partnership
Call 1-888-EPA-7341
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COMPLIANCE INCENTIVES FOR SMALL BUSINESS:
EPA recognized that many small businesses want to be good environmental citizens but need
information on how to comply with requirements. As required by the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, the agency has created a policy to help small businesses
comply with environmental laws in a common sense, cost-effective way:
The objective of this policy is to promote environmental compliance of small
businesses by providing incentives for them to conduct voluntary environ-
mental audits, obtain compliance assistance, and promptly disclose and cor-
rect violations. In addition, many small businesses lack the ability to pay a
significant penalty. Providing compliance assistance and having small businesses
use their'resources to come into compliance, rather than pay a penalty is one
way to maximize, state and small business resources, and create incentives to
compliance. Through this policy, EPA will provide small businesses up.to six
months, or up to "one year if a pollution'prevention solution is used-to correct
violations identified by a state, or federally sponsored compliance assistance
program or through "a voluntary audit. By providing an.extended period to
come into.compliance, and-mitigating or eliminating penalties,'EPA hopes to
encourage small .businesses to request assistance and/or-conduct voluntary
environmental,audits to achieve compliance ;while. EPA continues to protect
public health and the environment.
If you have questions about how this policy" can .help you bring your facility into compliance,
contact bur Small Business Ombudsman.
CONTACT:
Dwight Peavey
e-mail: peavey.dwight@epamail.epa.gov
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