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 ------- |