SBA National Ombudsman's Regulatory Fairness Hearing SBA's National Ombudsman's office is requesting your participation in the SBA National Ombudsman's Regulatory Fairness Hearing being held in Washington, DC on Monday, August 19, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The SBA Office of the National Ombudsman is responsible for investigating and resolving unfair regulatory actions or excessive penalties by federal agencies against small businesses. This hearing affords a unique platform to surface concerns regarding unfair or excessive federal regulatory enforcement actions taken against small businesses and/or others in the small business community. The National Ombudsman's office would like to hear from you or your members about these topics. To register for this in person event go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-us-small-business- administration-national-regulatory-fairness-hearing-tickets-65941814743. For more information about SBA's Office of the National Ombudsman's go to: http s: //www, sb a. gov/ab out- sb a/ over si ght- advocacv/office-national-ombudsman. U.S. Small Business Administration DO YOU HAVE ARTICLES FOR THE SMALLBIZfa)EPA NEWSLETTER? FORWARD TO: ELNORA THOMPSON AT: THOMPSON.ELNORA(a}EPA.GOV ------- https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses Former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Wins 2019 Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Award U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented its second annual "National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse" award to the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in recognition of exemplary work transforming the Superfund site into a successful commercial and industrial space. Expediting the cleanup and redevelopment of Superfund sites, including those owned by the federal government. "This project is a successful demonstration of how public-private partnerships can convert contaminated sites into community assets that will attract jobs, encourage partnerships and achieve broader economic development outcomes. The 3,936-acre former Air Force base is now home to Myrtle Beach International Airport; over 1,200 new homes; a dozen parks; walking paths and sporting facilities; a golf course; a college; a new technology and aerospace business park; and a centerpiece commercial district called The Market Centerpiece Commercial District called The Market Common, which features various shops, and restaurants. This redevelopment project has had a large economic impact on Hony County by employing 25,781 people and providing $2,972,700,000 in annual economic activity and $119,872,710 in annual tax revenue. The award, which EPA is giving to four federal sites nationwide, recognizes the innovative thinking and cooperation among federal agencies, states, tribes, local partners, and developers that have led to noteworthy restoration and reuse of federal facility sites under the Superfund program. The Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Awards cover four categories of federal facilities: (1) National Priorities List (NPL) sites, (2) NPL Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) sites, (3) non- NPL BRAC sites, and (4) non-NPL sites. For further information contact: James Pinkney (404) 562-9183, email at region4press@epa.gov EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888 ------- https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses Air Pollution Trends Show Cleaner Air, Growing Economy The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual report on air quality, tracking our nation's progress in improving air quality since the passage of the Clean Air Act. "Our Nation's Air: Status and Trends Through 2018" documents the considerable improvements in air quality across America since 1970. Between 1970 and 2018, the combined emissions of six key pollutants dropped by 74 percent, while the U.S. economy grew 275 percent. From 2016 to 2018, emissions of key air pollutants continued to decline: • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) | 8,7 percent • Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) j 1.9 percent • Particulate Matter 10 (Including lead) (PM 10) J, 1.2 percent • Sulfur Dioxide (S02) j 7.8 percent • Carbon monoxide (CO) [ 12 percent • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) I 3.3 percent In addition, average concentrations of harmful air pollutants decreased considerably across our nation between 1990 and 2018: • Ground-level ozone (8-hour) j 21 percent • Fine Particulate Matter (annual) [ 39 percent (from 2000) • Coarse Particulate Matter (24-hour) I 26 percent • Sulfur dioxide (1-hour) j 89 percent • Nitrogen dioxide (annual) | 57 percent • Lead (3-month average) J, 82 percent (from 2010); and • Carbon monoxide (8-hour) [ 74 percent EPA examines long-term trends to track the nation's progress in cleaning the air. Air quality concentrations can vary year to year, even as human-caused emissions continue to decline. Variations in weather and natural events such as dust storms and wildfires can have an impact on air quality in affected areas. Human-caused emissions of the six common pollutants dropped in 2018, continuing the long-term trend. Despite this, the report shows that monitors in some areas logged increases in concentrations of particulate matter in the outdoor air, due in part to natural events such as wildfires. The increases in these areas had a small, but noticeable, impact on the national average. The report includes interactive graphics that enable citizens, policymakers and stakeholders to view and download detailed information by pollutant, geographic location and year. For further Information contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov) Explore the report and download graphics and data here: (https://gispub.epa.gov/air /trendsreport/2019/) EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888 ------- https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses Small Business Environmental Assistance Program SBEAP 1 PROGRAM Question: What does the phrase, "Once in, Always in," mean? I am subject to 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart MMMM (MACT 4M). Our paint vendor told me I might be able to get out of this EPA air regulation, but I am not sure what he was talking about. He said I have been using HAP-compliant coatings for years now and am probably not subject to this rule anymore. The vendor said EPA changed its "Once In, Always In" policy. Is this something I need to know about, and can I really get out of that EPA rule? Red N. Greene Dear Mr. Greene: Your vendor is partially correct. While nothing has been officially changed, EPA is proposing a rule that would reclassify sources subject to a major source rule such as MACT 4M who have taken actions to reduce their hazardous air pollutant, or HAP, emissions to below the major source category. The reclassification would allow the source to be considered an area source for HAPs and no longer be subject to the major source rule. At this time, the rule change is only proposed, and EPA is accepting comments from the public, businesses and trade associations on the proposal. You can read more about this proposed change and how to comment by going to https://www.epa.gov/stationary- sources-air-pollution/reclassification-maior-sources-area-sources-under-section-112-clean. If the proposed rule becomes law, the question becomes what should sources such as yourself, who are subject to the MACT 4M or other major source rules, do to determine and change your regulatory status to an area source? The first step would be to re-calculate your facility-wide potential to emit (PTE) HAPs to determine whether or not you are still subject to the MACT, in this case Subpart 4M. You can contact your state SBEAP for help calculating PTE or check out the calculator tools listed on the National SBEAP page. However, other factors could need to be reviewed as well before a final determination could be made. Each state has its own ambient air-quality permitting and compliance agencies, which may have specific procedures you will need to undertake before deciding to cease any monitoring, recordkeeping or reporting you are currently performing to comply with MACT 4M. Your state agency may require you to submit documentation demonstrating you are no longer a major source of HAP emissions. It may also require you to obtain written approval before ceasing any compliance operations with MACT 4M. Ask SBEAP recommends you contact your state SBEAP, who can provide environmental compliance technical assistance personalized to your small business. To find your state SBEAP, click on this map. EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888 ------- https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses SUBJECT: Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Virginia; Source-Specific Reasonably Available Control Technology Determinations for 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.htm Federal Register: Vol. 84, No. 148, Thursday, August 1, 2019/Proposed Rules AGENCY: EPA ACTION: Proposed Rule SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve three state implementation plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. These revisions address reasonably available control technology (RACT) requirements under the 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for three facilities in Northern Virginia through source- specific determinations. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Written comments must be received on or before September 3, 2019. For further information contact: Emlyn Ve'lez- Rosa, (215)814-2038 email at velezrosa.emlyn@epa.gov EPA FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES SUBJECT: National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Buckeye Reclamation Landfill Superfund Site http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html Federal Register: Vol 84, No. 147, Wednesday, July 31, 2019/ Rules and Regulations AGENCY: EPA ACTION: Direct Final Rule SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Buckeye Reclamation Landfill Superfund Site (Buckeye Site), located in St. Clairsville, Ohio from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final deletion is being published by EPA with the concurrence of the State of Ohio, through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, because EPA has determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, other than operation and maintenance, monitoring and fives year reviews, have been completed. Plowever, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. This direct final deletion is effective September 30, 2019 unless EPA receives adverse comments by August 30, 2019. For further information contact: Randolph Cano, (312)886-6036, email at cano.randolph@epa.gov. EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos arid Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888 ------- |