Small-Biz EPA
Small Business Ombudsman Bulletin
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
News for the Small Business Community
Welcome & Introduction IN THIS ISSUE:
Welcome to the second edition of the SmallBiz@EPA Bulletin -Summer • Welcome & Introduction ... 1
2009. This quarterly web publication highlights recent Agency activities and
State Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs) initiatives.
We hope you enjoy the articles and remain on our distribution list to receive
• Contact Lists 1
future editions. Please notify us if your e-mail address changes.
• Events 2
Do You have News for the SmallBiz@EPA Bulletin?
• Reaching Small Business .... 3
Want to reach the small business community? Send a brief synopsis of your
success stories, technical and regulatory updates, and other news to Paula • Regulatory Updates . .. 6
Zampieri (zampieri.paula@epa.gov). Include your Web site link. Submissions
must be received by the third Tuesday of March, June, September and
December to be included for the next edition.
• Technical Updates 9
• Green Business 10
He AbbU 163171 • Inquiries and Interviews.. 12
Joan B. Rogers, ASBO 202-564-6568 Tom Nakley 202-566-2826
• EPA Highlights 13
Angela Suber 202-566-2827 Treva Alston 202-566-1594
Deanna Moultrie-Jackson * Additional Stories 14
202-564-0168 Mainline 202-566-2075
Paula Zampieri 202-566-2496 Hotline 1-800-368-5888 /
Lester Facey 202-566-1321 202-566-1970 (DC area) Small Business Ombudsman:
Esther McCrary 202-566-2824 Fax 202-566-1505 Joan R°Sers'
Small Business Ombudsman
Contact Lists
Need to find the right person to contact for a comment or question within
your state, region, or program?
Go to the ASBO's EPA Small Business Contacts and Projects list:
www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org/contacts.aspx.
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 10460
Rogers.JoanB@epamail.epa.gov
202-566-2075
For More Information on Small
Business Environmental Compliance:
www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org
Hotline: 1-800-368-5888
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Events
2009 SBO/SBEAP National Conference
in Louisville, KY
.^^^m
The 2009 Small
Business Om-
budsman/
Small Business
Environmental
Assistance Program
National Confer-
ence was held on
June 1-5, 2009 in
Louisville, Kentucky,
at The Brown Hotel.
The conference was
a great opportunity for sharing information to help
small businesses with their environmental compliance,
energy, and pollution prevention issues and for building
important partnerships.
For access to the conference agenda, presentations and
pictures go to: www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org/Sharing-
Information/conferences.aspxftLouisvilleKY.
2009 Small Business Recognition
Awards
The National Steering Committee (NSC) for the Small
Business Ombudsman/Small Business Environmental
Assistance Programs (SBO/SBEAP) recognized three
award winners during its 6th Annual Small Business
Recognition Awards Ceremony Wednesday, June 3,
2009. The ceremony was held at the Muhammad Ali
Center during the 16th Annual National SBO/SBEAP
Conference in Louisville, KY.
Georgia Concrete & Products Association was
recognized with the Trade Association Environmental
Leadership Award which recognizes exemplary
performance and leadership by a trade association
to enhance members' compliance with applicable
environmental regulations and to encourage
stewardship of the environment. Gordon Kenna,
Executive Director, accepted the award on behalf
of the association.
Two small businesses were honored in the category of
Small Business Environmental Stewardship. Owner
Jerry Richardson accepted the award for Advanced
Collision Repair of Seaside, Oregon. Kevin Emerick,
Environmental Health and Safety Manager, accepted
the award for Woodfold Manufacturing, Inc. of Forest
Grove, Oregon. Both organizations were recognized
for their achievements in pollution prevention efforts,
industrial environmental leadership, and community
environmental leadership.
For more information about the National Small Business
Awards Recognition Program as well the services
offered nationally by the Small Business Environmental
Assistance Programs, visit: www.smallbiz-enviroweb.
org/NSC/Subcommittees/Awards.aspx.
National Environmental Partnership
Summit
The ASBO conducted a workshop on "Doing Business
with EPA: How to Win Contracts and How Greening
will Help Your Success." The workshop was held in San
Francisco, CA, May 4-7, 2009, and featured training
and outreach to the local small business community of
the San Francisco Bay Area. The first half of the session
looked at how small and minority owned businesses can
best locate and receive federal contracts and/or
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Events (continued)
environmental assistance through the EPA. The second
half of the session focused on tools and methods to
green a small business, with an evaluation of EPA
voluntary environmental assistance programs, as well
as thoughts and discussion from small local business
members that are on the forefront of greening their
own business.
For more information about the National Partnership
Summit visit: www.environmentalsummit.org/.
Association of Small Business Develop-
ment Centers 29th Annual Conference
September 14-17, 2009 at Rosen Shingle Creek in
Orlando, Florida
The Association of Small Business Development Centers
(ASBDC) is the national association representing the
nation's 63 congressionally authorized state and
regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
programs. America's SBDC Network, with approximately
900 service centers nationwide, annually provides face-
to-face business management consulting and training
assistance to over 600,000 business owners and aspiring
entrepreneurs.
For more information, contact Donna Ettenson, ASBDC
Vice President of Operations, donna@asbdc-us.org.
Upcoming EPA Office of Small Business
Programs Counseling Sessions
The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) works
closely with the small business community and internal
EPA stakeholders to promote the direct procurement
program goals. To achieve this, OSBP conducts individual
meetings with small business representatives, and each
year hosts counseling sessions for the small business
community.
• EPA OSBP Small Business Counseling Session—
HubZone Businesses; September 8, 2009; (Lament
Norwood, 202-566-2933)
• EPA OSBP Small Business Counseling Session-
Environmental Consulting Services; October 13, 2009
(Teree Henderson, 202-566-2222)
• EPA OSBP Small Business Counseling Session—Service
Disabled Veterans Owned Small Business; Date: Nov
12, 2009 (Lamont Norwood, 202-566-2933)
Additional Small Business Events
For additional small business events, visit:
www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org/Sharinglnformation/
events.aspx.
Reaching Small Business
EPA Agriculture Center News
Practical Information Available for Small Farms
Small-scale farms make up over 90% of the farms in
the United States. Using best management practices can
protect the environment, improve the health of
farm animals and crops, and increase farm profits.
The Ag Center web site enables small farms to practice
environmental stewardship, offering a wide selection of
useful publications. An example of available publications
for small farmers include: How to be a Good Steward,
The ABCs of Pasture Grazing, Manure on Your Farm:
Asset or Liability?, Managing Animal Deaths: Your
Options, Protecting the Water on Your Small Farm, Got
Barnyard and Lot Runoff?, Good Stewardship Practices
for Horse Owners, along with many others.
For more information on the Ag Center Website visit:
www.epa.gov/agriculture/asma.html.
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Reaching Small Business
(continued)
Ag Center News Service
If you would like to be updated by e-mail when
information of interest to the Ag community is added
to the Ag Center's web site, sign up for the Ag Center
News Service. You'll receive timely messages about
developments that could
affect your agricultural
operation.
To subscribe, send
a blank e-mail to:
join-agcenter@lists.
epa.gov.
Outreach Planned for EPA's Proposed
Rule for Electronic Reporting under
the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA)
As reported in the April, 2009 edition of Small-Biz@EPA,
if you are a small business in the chemical industry that
makes submissions to EPA under Section 5 of TSCA, EPA
has proposed procedures that will enable you to make
your submissions electronically. EPA's Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) published a proposed
rule in the Federal Register (73 FR 78261) on December
22, 2008, that, when finalized, will amend TSCA
regulations by mandating use of the new electronic
reporting process.
EPA expects to publish the final rule during the last
quarter of 2009. EPA plans to host several Webinars to
train you on how to fill out the electronic PMN form
("e-PMN") and register with EPA's Central Data Exchange
(CDX) to submit the form via the Internet.
EPA will post the dates of the Webinars on the
new chemicals homepage at www.epa.gov/oppt/
newchems/ and in the Federal Register. Guidance
materials on how to fill out the electronic form and
submit it via the Internet are available free of charge
from the Agency on the new chemicals homepage or
you can request them on CD from EPA. EPA may also
host in-person training sessions at EPA headquarters in
Washington, D.C. and at other venues.
For information on e-PMN outreach activities contact
Loraine Passe at 202-564-9064 or passe.loraine@epa.
gov, or Anna Coutlakis at 202-564-9207 or coutlakis.
anna@epa.gov.
COMPASS—Compliance Assistance
Newsletter
The COMPASS is EPA's Office of Compliance's newsletter
for compliance assistance providers and the regulated
community. This newsletter is published a few times
each year and each edition focuses on a specific
compliance assistance theme or topic of interest. The
newsletter also has a "Hot News" section to highlight
important information such as new policies, guidance,
tools, events or reports related to EPA's Compliance
Assistance Program, both nationally and in each of our
regional offices. This and past editions of the newsletter
are available at www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/
newsletters/assistance/index.html.
For more information contact Catherine Tunis, 202-564-
0476 ortunis.catherine@epa.gov.
National Compliance Assistance
Centers Sector Specific Resources
EPA has sponsored partnerships with industry, academic
institutions, environmental groups, and other agencies
to establish National Compliance Assistance Centers
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Reaching Small Business
(continued)
for 16 industry and government sectors. These sector-
specific resources can help you understand your
environmental obligations, improve compliance, and
find cost-effective ways to comply.
For a complete list of the 16 industry sectors and
compliance centers visit: www.assistancecenters.net/.
Retail Industry Portal
EPA recently launched a new Web site providing quick
access to the many programs and resources available
to help prevent and resolve environmental issues at
retail establishments. Through the Retail Industry Portal,
retailers can quickly find information to: 1) understand
and comply with environmental regulations; and 2)
voluntarily go beyond regulatory obligations to protect
the environment for future generations.
EPA would like your input on the Portal. Did you find
what you're looking for? Do you want to share case-
studies/success stories through the Portal? Visit the
Retail Industry Portal at: www.epa.gov/retailindustry/.
Comments can be e-mailed to back.tracy@epa.gov or
submitted through the Portal's "contact us" feature.
Please visit the "Inquiries and lnterviews"section of this
bulletin for an interview with Tracy Back.
What's New at the Compliance Assis-
tance Centers?
Industrial Stormwater Permit Guide
In collaboration with EPA's Office of Water and Office
of Compliance, the Printers National Environmental
Assistance Center created the Industrial Stormwater
Permit Guide. Use the Industrial Stormwater Permit
Guide to better understand federal Stormwater
regulations and the options available for compliance.
Three lessons are included in the guide: background and
applicability of Stormwater regulations to businesses;
permitting options and requirements; and no exposure
certification provisions.
Access the Stormwater Permit Guide at www.pneac.
org/stormwater/.
Best Management Practices for Common Dental
Office Wastes:
Visit the Healthcare Environmental Resource Center for
an overview of best management practices for handling
and recycle/disposal of wastes commonly generated
at dental offices, including amalgam, x-ray wastes, and
cleaners, www.hercenter.org/dentistwastes.cfm.
Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Locator:
Use this unique Construction Industry Compliance
Assistance Center tool to locate instructions and
specifications for construction Stormwater best
management practices (BMPs) published by EPA and
state agencies. The BMPs have been categorized to
help you locate appropriate measures.
www.cicacenter.org/bmp.cfm.
EPA Posts Frequently Asked Questions
on TSCA
On May 1, 2009, EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics (OPPT) established a live interface on
EPA's Enterprise Customer Services Solution (ECSS)
containing frequent questions that have been of
interest to the public, including small businesses,
which need information on the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) and the wide range of related
programs carried out in the Office. This initial set of
46 questions can be found at www.toxics.custhelp.
com/cgi-bin/toxics.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php.
The information on this site covers regulatory and
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Reaching Small Business
(continued)
non-regulatory approaches that OPPT has used to
evaluate new and existing chemicals and to control
their risks to human health and the environment. The
questions cover reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and
control related requirements promulgated under TSCA,
as well as voluntary programs used to gather data
about chemicals. The site does not address questions
pertaining to the Pollution Prevention Act.
For additional information, contact John Alter at
202-564-8074 or alter.john@epa.gov, or Lisa Faeth at
202-564-8191 or faith.lisa@epa.gov.
Training for Compliance Assistance
Providers (from OECA)
U.S. EPA's Basic Training for Compliance Assistance
Providers (BCAP) is a four-module course for anyone
interested in learning the basics about EPA's national
compliance assistance program. The four modules are
designed for flexible delivery options. Each module
should last about 60-90 minutes including pre and
post tests. All four modules are currently available for
classroom delivery and can be downloaded through
the National Enforcement Training Institute's course
catalogue at www.netionline.com. Depending on the
time constraints or the needs of the audience, the
modules can be delivered individually or combined as a
one-day course. By late summer 2009, all the modules
will also be available for on-line delivery with audio.
For more information contact: Beverly Updike at 202-
564-7142, or updike.beverly@epa.gov.
Regulatory Updates
Regulation.gov Exchange—New Online
Forum Promotes Transparency and
Openness in Government
On May 21, 2009, the eRulemaking Program launched
Regulations.gov Exchange, an on-line forum enabling
the public to explore new innovative designs and
features proposed for Regulations.gov. With the
Regulations.gov Exchange, the public can post opinions
directly on the site helping to shape the future of
www.regulations.gov. The Regulations.gov Exchange
will be open for public participation from May 21 -
July 21, 2009.
The new Regulations.gov Exchange is featured on
the White House web site (click on the 3rd featured
item, Open Government Initiative, and click on "Learn
more") or available at www.whitehouse.gov/open/
innovations/Regulations-gov-Exchange/.
The Regulations.gov Exchange promotes public
engagement by actively involving citizens in the
development of a major government-wide web site, and
uses new technologies that enhance the transparency
of government decision-making. The public feedback
will shape on-going updates of Regulations.gov, explore
the impact of emerging Internet technologies on the
federal rulemaking process, foster government-citizen
collaboration, and promote government transparency
and openness. We encourage you to share the site with
your stakeholders to obtain their opinions as well.
If you have questions regarding the Regulations.
gov Exchange contact, Patrick M. Micielli at micielli.
patrick@epa.gov or Shanita Bracket! at brackett.
shanita@epa.gov.
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Regulatory Updates
(continued)
Update on EPA's Lead Renovation,
Repair, and Painting Rule—Get Trained
Now!
Renovation, repair, painting, and maintenance work
can create lead hazards. EPA now requires contractors
to provide the pamphlet Renovate Right to owners/
occupants of pre-1978 housing and to parents/
guardians of young children attending pre-1978 child
care facilities. Beginning April 2010, most work in
pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities must be
(1) supervised by a trained and certified renovator, (2)
performed by a certified firm, and (3) use specified lead-
safe work practices.
Training is available now. Beginning October, 2009, firms
can apply for EPA certification. Firms must be certified,
and renovators must be trained and certified, by April,
2010, to work in pre-1978 buildings. Get trained now to
avoid the rush and potential delays!
Read about how to comply in EPA's Small Entity
Compliance Guide to Renovate Right (www.epa.
gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf). For more
information, a list of accredited trainers, and Renovate
Right, see EPA's Lead Renovation website: www.epa.
gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.
Definition of Solid Waste, Including
a Subset the Definition of Hazardous
Waste (RCRAC), Up for Review Again
The definition of solid waste, which includes a subset
to the definition of hazardous waste (RCRA), (Fed Reg
May 27, 2009, Vol 74, Nu. 100) is open for review
and comments. A public meeting was held on
June 30, 2009, in Arlington, VA to discuss the
potential "reconsideration and repeal (of) the recently
promulgated revisions to the definition of solid waste
for hazardous secondary materials being reclaimed."
Persons may submit written or electronic comments by
July 14, 2009.
For more information visit: www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-
WASTE/2009/May/Day-27/fl2283.htm.
Success Stories
Indiana Auto Salvage Workshops are a Success
In May 2009, the Indiana Department of Environmental
Management (IDEM) introduced the Indiana Clean Yard
Program, an environmental recognition program for
auto salvage recyclers. The program is designed to help
auto salvage recyclers improve and monitor compliance
with environmental regulations. Staff from IDEM's
Compliance and Technical Assistance Program (CTAP)
and the Office of Land Quality partnered to distribute
600 workbooks to auto salvage recyclers, which
includes information on regulations that apply to the
auto salvage industry, a self-audit checklist, corrective
actions to return to compliance, and best management
practices. IDEM hosted three regional workshops for
145 attendees, all of whom were pleased with the
clear and easy-to-use workbook and IDEM's assistance.
Approximately 50 auto salvage recyclers indicated
interest in achieving Indiana Clean Yard status. The
self-audit evaluations are due by mid-July. Afterwards,
IDEM will conduct follow-up evaluations and award the
Indiana Clean Yard certification to those who meet the
requirements.
For more information, contact:
Katie Beam, (317) 232-8578,
or kbeam@idem.in.gov.
-------
Small-Biz EPA
SuCCeSS Stories (continued)
Green Lakeshore Landscaping Meth-
ods Topic of New Statewide Initiative
Marine contractors and landscape professionals
looking to add lakescaping as a business service
will be interested to learn about the new Michigan
Natural Shoreline Partnership. One objective of the
partnership is to develop and administer a training and
certification program in natural shoreline landscaping
and erosion control techniques for landscape and
seawallcontractors. Graduates of the program will have
the option of being included on an internet-posted list
of certified contractors. This list will be promoted with
lakefront property owners, municipal
officials, and others searching for f MICHIGAN
lakescaping and natural shoreline
erosion control services. Plans I PARTNERSHIP
are being made to offer the
program during the 2009-2010
winter meeting season.
The Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, facilitated
by the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality (MDEQ), and Michigan State University
Extension (MSUE), follows in the footsteps of other
environmentally-friendly business certification programs
such as Clean Marina and the Michigan Turfgrass
Stewardship Program, designed for the boating and
golf industries, respectively. The landscape industry
is well represented on the partnership by Michigan
Nursery and Landscape Association, and several private
companies experienced in lakescaping methods.
Other participating organizations and agencies include
Michigan Native Plant Producers Association, Michigan
Association of Conservation Districts, Michigan
Chapter of North American Lake Management Society,
Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, and Michigan
Department of Natural Resources. Also represented are
Michigan State University Department of Horticulture
and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. A slide show
of natural shoreline case studies is now available at
www.shoreline.msu.edu.
For more information on the Michigan Natural Shoreline
Partnership, contact Jane Herbert at 269 671-2412 x 222
orjherbert@msu.edu, or John Skubinna at 517-241-
8370 or skubinnaj@michigan.gov.
2009 Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Award Winners
Each year EPA celebrates innovative, clean technologies
through its Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
Awards. Together, the program's 72 award winners
annually eliminate on average 193 million pounds of
hazardous chemicals and solvents - enough to fill a
freight train nearly 11 miles long; save over 21 billion
gallons of water - enough to meet the annual needs
of over 820,000 people; and eliminate more than 57
million pounds of carbon dioxide - equal to taking
6,000 automobiles off the road. Collectively the award-
winning and nominated technologies annually reduce
the use or generation of more than 1 billion pounds of
hazardous materials.
For this year and previous Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Award Winners, visit:
www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/pubs/pgcc/past.html.
2009 Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Award Recipients
Greener Synthetic Pathways Award—Eastman
Chemical Company
A Solvent-Free Biocatalytic Process for Cosmetic and
Personal Care Ingredients
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
SuCCeSS Stories (continued)
Greener Reaction Conditions Award—CEM Corporation
Innovative Analyzer Tags Proteins for Fast, Accurate
Results without Hazardous Chemicals or High
Temperatures
Designing Greener Chemicals Award—The Procter &
Gamble Company: Cook Composites and Polymers
Company
Chempol® MPS Resins and Sefose® Sucrose Esters
Enable High-Performance Low-VOC Alkyd Paints and
Coatings
Small Business Award - Virent Energy Systems, Inc.
BioForming® Process: Catalytic Conversion of Plant
Sugars into Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels
Academic Award - Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
Carnegie Mellon University
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Low-impact
Polymerization Using a Copper Catalyst and
Environmentally Friendly Reducing Agents
Technical Updates
2008 Toxics Release Inventory Data To
Be Released this Summer
In late July, EPA plans to release the 2008 Toxics Release
Inventory (TRI) preliminary data, shortly after the July
1st annual reporting deadline. TRI is a publicly available
EPA database that contains information on toxic
chemical releases and waste management activities
reported annually by facilities across the United States.
The Inventory is designed to inform communities and
citizens of chemical releases in their areas. Small
businesses are required to report to TRI if they meet
the reporting criteria which include the number of
employees, classification in one of the covered North
American Industrial Classification Systems, and meet the
minimum thresholds for manufacturing, processing, or
use of listed chemicals.
Release of the TRI data is supported by the purpose of
the laws that created the TRI Program and the recent
release of Data.Gov, a new government-wide Web site
designed to improve transparency and allow the public
to obtain data in a format useful for their own purposes.
Transparency and collaboration are key Administration
priorities.
This 2008 data is being provided earlier than ever before
in the twenty plus year history of the program. Early
release of this preliminary TRI data to the public has
been requested by organizations and individuals for
several years. In addition, the EPA is hoping that earlier
release of the data can help to improve data quality
throughout the entire reporting process.
This change will not affect the reporting process or
criteria for facilities required to report to TRI. Facilities
will still be able to make revisions to data should the
need arise. For more details, check the TRI website;
www.epa.gov/tri in late July. Additional updates to
the data will be posted on this site in late summer as
more reporting forms are processed, culminating in the
final data release with completed analyses and trend
information.
If you have questions contact Kevin Donovan at 202-
566-0676 or Donovan.Kevin-e@epa.gov.
EPA Compliance Assistance Results
Fact Sheet and a Report Comparing
Compliance Assistance Activities for
FY 2007 and FY 2008
In FY 2008, EPA reached about 2.6 million entities
through compliance assistance carried out by the
Agency, primarily through the EPA regions, and through
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Technical Updates
(continued)
the sixteen EPA-supported, Web-based Compliance
Assistance Centers. We know that EPA assistance is
continuing to have a positive impact, as reported by
those who have received assistance and responded
to outcome surveys approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). To read the complete
results of the Compliance Assistance Results fact sheet
and report, visit: www.epa.gov/compliance/data/
results/assistance/index, html.
Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality's (TCEQ) Petroleum Storage
Tank (PST) Guidance Documents
and Workshops to PST Owners and
Operators
Currently the Small Business and Local Government
Assistance (SBLGA) Section of TCEQ is working on a
series of guidance documents for all PST owners and
operators. These 14 technical publications cover topics
including: buying a property with an underground
storage tank, permanent tank removal, financial
assurance, release detection, spill prevention, and
several other areas of compliance. Scheduled for
release in Fall 2009, these guidance documents
will be available for all owners and operators
at www.tceq.state.tx.us/. SBLGA is also
planning to hold free workshops
throughout Texas to explain
how owners and operators
can use these publications
to comply with state and
federal requirements while
managing their facility.
Copies of the guidance documents will be distributed
at the workshops. An update regarding the availability
of these publications will be in the next issue of SBLGA's
quarterly newsletter, The Advocate.
For additional information: www.sblga.info.
Green Business
Small Business Technology Developers
are Thinking Green
The 2009 solicitation for EPA's Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) Program recently closed and received
over 500 proposals—a 70 percent increase over the
previous year. This year's solicitation featured the
topic area of "Green Building," which received over
100 proposals in and of itself. The "Green Building"
topic called for new technologies to address onsite
stormwater management, energy efficiency, greenhouse
gas reduction, materials, indoor environmental quality,
and performance monitoring.
"It's exciting to get such a great response. Even though
the SBIR program started in the early 1980's, it is still
a very flexible framework for meeting changes in
environmental priorities," said April Richards of ORD's
National Center for Environmental Research.
EPA issues annual SBIR solicitations for proposals
from small companies to develop environmental
technologies which address priority needs of
the Agency. The next solicitation will open in
rch 2010.
For more information on EPA's SBIR
Program including a database of funded
projects, visit: www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir/.
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Green Business
(continued)
EPA Develops Green Jobs Initiative
Closely hewing to EPA's mission to protect human
health and environment, and recognizing that a trained
workforce will be central to achieving this mission, EPA's
Green Jobs Initiative (GJI) was created to accelerate
the creation of green jobs in the United States. Housed
within the Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation's
(OPEI) National Center for Environmental Innovation
(NCEI), the Initiative began work in November 2007.
Led by David Widawsky, Acting Director, and Leanne
Nurse, Program Analyst, the Initiative created a Green
Jobs Team (GJT) in April 2009, which is comprised
of EPA employees from various areas and graduate
interns. The GJT has established contacts with Green
Jobs partners (e.g. federal, state, green job advocacy
organizations, workforce development organizations,
NGOs, foundations, communities, etc.) laying the
groundwork for future collaboration.
The GJT has outlined seven major areas of work for the
Green Jobs Initiative. These are:
• Intra-Agency EPA Workgroup
• Capacity Building (Outreach and Technical
Assistance)
• Policy Analysis
• Research (Data Collection and Analysis of Green Jobs
and Sustainability Metrics)
• Federal Partnering
• Fostering Green Jobs Grants and Other Funding
Programs
• Acknowledgement Program
Stay tuned for an upcoming website and additional
projects.
For more information contact Leanne Nurse at
202-566-2207, or nurse.leanne@epa.gov.
Greening Guide—Smart Steps to
Sustainability
Smart Steps to Sustainability provides small business
owners and managers with practical advice and tools to
implement sustainable and environmentally-preferable
business practices that go beyond compliance. The
guide offers a framework to strategically green your
business and presents realistic opportunities to improve
environmental performance with real world greening
stories from small businesses in a variety of industries,
including automotive, pet care, dental care and more.
To get your business on track to Sustainability, Smart
Steps will help you:
• Understand the impact
your business has on the
environment.
• Develop and implement a
strategy to minimize this
impact.
• Explore opportunities to
become more sustainable.
• Share your Sustainability
efforts with your
customers.
• Continually strive for improvement.
This electronic guide is projected to be available on the
ASBO website by August 2009.
SMART STEPS TO1
SUSTAINABILITY
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Green Business
(continued)
Small Wonders Report
The Small Wonders Report, released June 10, 2009,
documents how small business - the engine of the
U.S. economy - has become a powerful driver of
environmental protection, a profoundly constructive
and important development. The report describes a
new world of green entrepreneurship teeming with
fresh ideas and innovative solutions. It also describes
scores of successful models, technologies, and programs
whereby small-business owners are reducing energy use
profitably through increased energy efficiency and use
of small-scale, on-site renewable energy technologies
(micro power).
For more information and the full report visit:
www.smallwondersreport.org/.
Inquiries and Interviews
Interview with Tracy Back of EPA's
Office of Compliance and Enforcement
on the new Small Business Retail Web
Portal
What prompted EPA Compliance Office's interest in
creating the retail industrial portal?
In the winter of 2007, EPA met with representatives
from the retail sector to explore environmental
assistance opportunities for the retail sector. These
discussions addressed the need for a comprehensive
environmental internet site providing easy access
to environmental compliance and sustainability
information for the retail sector. While EPA's web site
includes a vast amount of compliance, sustainability
and pollution prevention content applicable to the retail
sector, this content was scattered and difficult for a
business in the retail sector to identify and access.
What types of businesses do you think will most
benefit from this portal?
The Retail Industry Portal was developed to support
all types of retailers, large and small (from department
stores to convenience stores, auto parts and beyond).
Through the new Portal, retailers can quickly find
information they need to: 1) understand and comply
with environmental regulations; and 2) voluntarily
go beyond regulatory obligations to protect the
environment for future generations.
Can you highlight your favorite features of the portal?
I'm thrilled that retailers are finding the vast amount
of valuable sustainability content available through
the Portal. EPA has worked closely with the industry
to ensure that the terminology and navigation make
sense for their people out in stores who will be using
these resources. You'll notice that resources are
clustered by topic and that we have created quick-
finder topics, both of these features help users to
quickly find what they need. In addition to helping
retailers understand their environmental compliance
obligations, the Retail Industry Web Portal provides
a vast amount of information to help retailers: buy
and sell environmentally friendly products; create and
maintain buildings that are environmentally responsible
and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle;
reduce the impact of transportation related activities
on the environment; and mitigate climate change by
reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions in their own operations.
Are there any potential additions to the retail portal
that we can look forward to in the future?
We're working on two enhancements to the Retail
Industry Portal. First, we soon hope to provide direct
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
Green Business
(continued)
access to EPA's compliance data for the retail sector.
Second, I hope to augment the Portal with content
regarding sustainable food products.
Visit the Retail Industry Portal: www.epa.gov/
retailindustry/. Comments can be emailed to back.
tracy@epa.gov or submitted through the Portal's
"contact us" feature.
EPA Highlights
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(Recovery Act). The Recovery Act seeks in part to
spur technological advances in science and health
and to invest in environmental protection and other
infrastructure that will provide long-term economic
EPA Highlights (continued)
benefits. EPA manages over $7 billion in projects and
programs that will help achieve these goals, offer
resources to help other agencies "green" a much
larger set of Recovery investments, and administer
environmental laws that will govern Recovery activities.
For more information on the Recovery Act, visit
www.epa.gov/recovery.
For information on how the Act is working and on the
expenditure of funds, visit www.recovery.gov.
Transparency in EPA's Operations
On April 23, 2009, Administrator Lisa P. Jackson sent a
memo to all EPA employees to provide guidelines on
how EPA will ensure transparency in interactions with
all members of the public. Administrator Jackson's
memorandum addresses transparency and openness in
the following areas:
General Principles
Appointment Calendars
Freedom of Information Act Policy
Rulemaking Proceedings
Litigation and Formal Adjudication
Contacts with Congress and the Press
Communications Generally
For Administrator Jackson's April 23, 2009
Memorandum, visit: www.epa.gov/administrator/
operationsmemo.html.
EPA Key Positions
Administrator's Office
Administrator
Acting Deputy Administrator
Chief of Staff
Deputy Chief of Staff
Senior Policy Counsel
Chief Agriculture Counsel
Lisa P. Jackson
Scott Fulton
Diane Thompson
Ray Spears
Robert Sussman
Larry Elworth
Senior Advisor on Great Lakes Cameron Davis
Senior Policy Counsel on
Climate Change
Lisa Heinzerlin
Program Offices—Assistant Administrators
(AA) and Others
Office of Air and Radiation
Office of Water
Office of Solid Waste
and Emergency Response
Gina McCarthy
Michael Shapiro
(Acting AA)
Mathy Stanislaus
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
-------
Small-Biz EPA
EPA Highlights (continued)
Office of Pesticides,
Prevention and Toxic
Substances
Office of Research
and Development
Office of International Affairs
Office of General Counsel
Office of Inspector General
Office of Environmental
Information
Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance
Office of Administration
and Resource Management
Office of Congressional and
Intergovernmental Relations
Office of Public Affairs
Steve Owens
Lek Kadeli (Acting AA)
Michelle J. DePass
Patricia K. Hirsch
(Acting General Counsel)
Bill A. Roderick (Acting
Inspector General)
Linda Travers
(Acting AA)
Cynthia J. Giles
Susan B. Hazen
(Acting AA)
David Mclntosh
(Associate Administrator)
Seth Oster
(Associate Administrator)
Additional Stories
Environmental Hot Topics in the News
Check out EPA's News Room and Top Stories:
www.epa.gov/newsroom/fttopstories.
Regional Administrators (Acting)
Region 1 Ira Leighton
Region 2 George Pavlou
Region 3 William C. Early
Region 4 A. Stanley Meiburg
Region 5 Bharat Mathur
Region 6 Lawrence E. Starfield
Region 7 William W. Rice
Region 8 Carol Rushin
Region 9 Laura Yoshii
Region 10 Michelle Pirzadeh
July 2009 • Volume 1, Issue 2
------- |