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SMALL-BIZ (a)EPA
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE
SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
The Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman
(ASBO) Program at EPA advocates for small business
concerns and, partners with a variety of stakeholders,
including; state Small Business Environmental
Assistance Programs (SBEAPs), small business trade
associations, EPA program offices in both
headquarters and regional offices, as well as the Small
Business Administration (SBA) and other federal
agencies, as a way to reach out and support the small
business community. These partnerships provide the
information and perspective EPA needs to help small
businesses achieve their environmental performance
goals. This is a comprehensive program that provides
networks, resources, tools, and forums for education
and advocacy on behalf of small businesses across the
country.
NOVEMBER 2019
SmallBizOEPA Bulletin
If you have any topic for
Submission:
Upcoming Events
Success Stories
New Assistance Tools
Technical Updates
Regulatory Updates
Stories to Reach the Small
Business Community
• Updated Contact Info.
Submission Guidelines
• Submissions brief-150
words or less
• Suggest a title for the
submission
• Include a website link to
more information on the
topic
• Always include a contact
name and phone number or
email to be included in
publication
• Articles should be
submitted by the 15th of
each month.
DO YOU HAVE ARTICLES FOR THE SMALLBIZ@EPA NEWSLETTER?
FORWARD TO:
SHEILA SHEPHERD AT: SHEPHERD.SHEILA(g}EPA.GOV
OR
ELNORA THOMPSON AT: THOMPSON.ELNORAf^EPAGOV
EPA, QSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888
https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-business
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EPA Announces Requests for Applications for
the 2020 Environmental Education Grants
Program
EPA is pleased to announce the availability of up to $3 million in funding for locally-focused environmental
education projects under the 2020 Environmental Education Grant Program. EPA will award three to four grants
in each of the agency's 10 regions. Interested group must submit their application by Jan. 6, 2020, to be considered.
The Requests for Application (RFA) is posted on www.grants.gov.
In addition to other environmental topics, the 2020 Environmental Education Grants Program will fund education-
based projects pertaining to marine debris mitigation, food waste and loss reduction, and recycling. Funded
projects will both increase public awareness on various environmental matters and enhance participants' abilities
to make informed decisions on environmental issues prospectively.
Additional Background on How to Apply:
Applicants must represent one of the following types of organizations to be eligible for an environmental
education grant:
local education agency, state education or environmental agency, college or university, non-profit organization
as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code noncommercial educational broadcasting entity,
tribal education agency (which includes schools and community colleges controlled by an Indian tribe, band,
or nation and which are recognized as eligible for special programs and services provided by the United States
to Indians because of their status as Indians and which are not administered by the Bureau of Indian Education.)
Applicant organizations must be located in the United States or territories and the majority of the educational
activities must take place in the United States; or in the United States and Canada or Mexico; or in the U.S.
Territories.
Each RFA contains complete instructions for submitting a proposal, including all required information and
limitations on format. A summary of the required information is below. Read the RFA thoroughly for application
procedures. All applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov.
Find the forms on the "Application Forms" tab. Materials should be submitted in the following order:
• Two Federal forms: Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) and Budget (SF 424-A)
• Work Plan (up to 8 pages):
• Project Summary (recommended 1 page)
• Detailed Proj ect Description
• Project Evaluation Plan
• Detailed Budget Showing Match and Subawards (not included in the page limit)
• Appendices (not included in the page limit)
• Timeline
• Logic Model Showing Outputs and Outcomes
• Programmatic Capabilities and Past Performance
• Letters Stating Responsibilities of Partners, if applicable
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EPA Awards First Installation of $40 Million Grant to
Puerto Rico Solid Waste Management Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
awarding a $6.2 million to the Puerto Rico Department
of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) as
the first installment of a $40 million grant for
hazardous and solid waste management financial
assistance. This funding is awarded through the
Supplemental Appropriation for Disaster Relief under
the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which provides
supplemental appropriations to respond to and recover
from recent hurricanes and other disasters. This
massive amount of waste produced by the storms
largely went to these landfills, crippling solid waste
infrastructure in Puerto Rico. Equally important, it is
expected that EPA's approval and financial backing of
DNER's waste management work plan will aid Puerto
Rico's post-storm landfill issues and develop a long-
term sustainable solid waste program that addresses
historic shortcomings and increase preparedness for
managing waste from future storms. The work is
expected to take 7 years and DNER proposes to
implement the grant work plan activities in two phases.
Phase I, funded by the $6.2 million installation, will
begin shortly after grant funds are received with EPA
oversight and includes hiring and training staff,
conducting a solid waste characterization study,
updating Puerto Rico's integrated solid waste
management plan, and updating solid waste
regulations to adequately design, construct and operate
landfill systems. A solid waste characterization study
followed by a market analysis allows the government
to understand the composition of materials
discarded in the waste stream. Waste
characterization data is collected by taking samples
of waste and sorting it into material types, including
recyclable items such as newspapers, cardboard,
plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, tin cans, and
small appliances. This study is the first step in
developing and updating the integrated solid waste
management plan and evaluating ways to reduce and
manage waste and cut disposal costs. Additionally,
the data collected will inform and assist the
government of Puerto Rico when making future
policy and regulation decisions in its efforts to
improve its landfill operations. Once DNER is ready
to start Phase II of the work plan activities, EPA will
collaborate with DNER to approve the plan and
award the remaining $33.8 million in grant funds.
Phase II will use the grant funds for more staffing
and training, providing outreach and technical
assistance, conducting permit and landfill closure
plan reviews, and conducting non-hazardous waste
compliance and enforcement activities. Throughout
the process, EPA will continue to work closely to
provide support to DNER and the Puerto Rican
government as they work with local offices and
other stakeholders to maintain a sustainable solid
waste program.
For further information contact: Tayler Covington
212-637-3662 covington.tayler@epa.gov
EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888
https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-business
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Navigating the Jungle of Environmental Regulations-
Where Can I Start?
Many new or expanding businesses have questions on what environmental regulations
pertain to their proposed operations. Many business professionals start with an internet
search and get lost in the jungle between federal and state requirements or are at
various stages of the planning process.
Contacting your state's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program can set you
up for success and help you understand the process. They can help determine what
permits or information would be helpful to gather in assessing what environmental
programs apply. SBEAPs have helped facilities reduce costs by proposing options that
still meet regulatory requirements but with less expense. SBEAPs can often give
estimates on permitting timeframes and help with understanding technical information.
Contacting your representative early in the process can prevent project delays and
increase your compliance understanding.
Find your Small Business Contact at this link: https://nationalsbeap.org/states
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EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888
https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-business
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Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
SBEAP
SiSir'i ^
Dear SBEAP:
At my small business, I have a non-emergency engine and heard it may be subject to an air quality
permit, even though no other process of my business emits regulated air pollutants. Is that correct? Will
I need a permit and where can I turn for permitting help?
Thank you, Eddie Engine
Dear Eddie:
I am assuming your engine is either compression ignition or spark ignition. Compression—ignition
engines fire diesel fuels. Spark-ignition engines fire gasoline, natural gas, propane, landfill gas and other
gaseous fuels, or can be dual-fuel engines. Electric motors and compressors do not emit air pollutants.
Engines are considered stationary when they stay in one location at a facility, performing only one
operation. Other engines are considered portable if they are on a skid, have handles or wheels, and can
be moved to different locations within a facility for various operations and do not remain in one on-site
location for longer than one consecutive 12-month period. If any of the above describe your engine, it is
subject to new air quality regulations because, collectively, combustion emissions can have a significant
impact on air quality and public health.
Despite EPA providing excellent resources on its engines page, the regulations are fairly complicated.
The good news is that most of our states host a Small Business Environmental Assistance Program or
SBEAP that can help businesses such as yours navigate complicated regulations. The SBEAPs can also
help identify the correct paperwork and answer questions related to what is needed on the paperwork or
permit application.
The National SBEAP's environmental compliance page has engine resources and also lists air permit
tools by state. Most small businesses prefer to simply contact their own state SBEAP and you can find
your state contact at https://national sbeap. org/states.
EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888
https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-business
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SUBJECT: N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP);
Draft Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Risk Evaluation and TSCA Science
Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC)
Meeting; Notice of Availability, Public
Meeting, and Request for Comment
http://www.epa. go v/dockets/contacts .htm
Federal Register: Vol. 84, No. 246,
Thursday November 7, 2019/Notices
AGENCY: EPA
ACTION: Notice
SUMMARY: EPA is announcing the availability
of and soliciting public comment on the draft Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluation of
NMethylpyrrolidone (NMP). The purpose of the
risk evaluation process under TSCA is to determine,
upon issuance of a final risk evaluation, whether a
chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of
injury to health or the environment under the
conditions of use, including an unreasonable risk to
a relevant potentially exposed or susceptible
subpopulation. EPA is also submitting the same
document to the TSCA Science Advisory
Committee on Chemicals (SACC) for peer review
and is announcing that there will be an in person
public meeting of the TSCA SACC to consider and
review the draft risk evaluation. Preceding the in-
person meeting, there will be a preparatory virtual
public meeting for the panel to consider the scope
and clarity of the draft charge questions for the peer
review.
For further information contact: Dr. Stan Barone
(202)564-1169 email at powers.marilyn@epa.gov
EPA FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES
SUBJECT: Approval of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Ohio and West
Virginia; Attainment Plans for the
Steubenville, Ohio-West Virginia 2010
Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area
http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html
Federal Register: Vol. 84, No. 204,
Thursday, October 22, 2019/ Rules & Regulation
AGENCY: EPA
ACTION: Final Rule
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving, under the Clean Air
Act (CAA), two State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revision submittals, submitted by Ohio and West
Virginia, respectively. The Ohio and West Virginia
submittals include each State's attainment
demonstration for the Steubenville Ohio-West
Virginia sulfur dioxide (S02) nonattainment area.
Each SIP contains an attainment demonstration,
enforceable emission limits, control measures and
other elements required under the CAA to address
the nonattainment area requirements for the
Steubenville Area. EPA concludes that the Ohio
and West Virginia attainment plan submittals
demonstrate that the provisions in the respective
SIPs provide for attainment of the 2010 primary
S02 national ambient air quality standard NAAQS
in the entire Steubenville Area and meet the
requirements of the CAA. EPA is also approving
into the West Virginia SEP new emissions limits,
operational restrictions, and associated compliance
requirements for Mountain State Carbon, and
approving into the Ohio SIP the limits on emissions
from Mingo Junction Energy Center, JSW Steel,
and the Cardinal Power Plant. This final rule is
effective on November 21, 2019.
For further information contact: Marilyn Powers
(215)814-2308 email at powers.marilyn@epa.gov
EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888
https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-business
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