SMALL-BIZ@EPA
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE
SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
EPA Releases Final Report on Impacts from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities
on Drinking Water
EPA is releasing its scientific report on the impacts from
hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources
which provides states and others the scientific foundation to
better protect drinking water resources in areas where
hydraulic fracturing is occurring or being considered. The
report, done at the request of Congress, provides scientific
evidence that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact
drinking water resources in the United States under some
circumstances. As part of the report, EPA identified
conditions under which impacts from hydraulic fracturing
activities can be more frequent or severe. The report also
identifies uncertainties and data gaps. These uncertainties and
data gaps limited EPA's ability to fully assess impacts to
drinking water resources both locally and nationally. These
final conclusions are based upon review of over 1,200 cited
scientific sources; feedback from an independent peer review
conducted by EPA's Science Advisory Board; input from
engaged stakeholders; and new research conducted as part of
the study. "The value of high quality science has never been
more important in helping to guide decisions around our
nation's fragile water resources. EPA's assessment provides
the scientific foundation for local decision makers, industry,
and communities that are looking to protect public health and
drinking water resources and make more informed decisions
about hydraulic fracturing activities," said Dr. Thomas A.
Burke, EPA's Science Advisor and Deputy Assistant
Administrator of EPA's Office of Research and Development.
"This assessment is the most complete compilation to date of
national scientific data on the relationship of drinking water
resources and hydraulic fracturing." Read more on the
report and how to acquire a copy at:
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-fmal-report-
impacts-hvdraulic-fracturing-activities-drinking-water
DO YOU HAVE ARTICLES FOR THE
SMALLBIZ@EPA NEWSLETTER?
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U.S. EPA Requires Plastic Manufacturer
Protect Santa Clara River from Pollution
EPA has reached an agreement with Canyon Plastics,
Inc. to resolve federal Clean Water Act violations.
The company has corrected the deficiencies found at
its facility in Valencia, Calif, and obtained a
stormwater permit. In addition to paying a $19,000
penalty, Canyon Plastics has committed to install
new recycling equipment at a cost of $292,000.
Canyon Plastics, located at 28455 Livingston
Avenue, uses large quantities of small plastic pellets,
known as "nurdles," as raw material to manufacture
plastic products. During a September 2015
inspection, EPA found the facility did not have a
permit to discharge industrial stormwater and had not
implemented practices to reduce the discharge of
pollutants to local waterways. The inspectors found
leaked or spilled nurdles throughout the facility's
waste management area and loading docks and a lack
of containment systems such as mesh screens within
storm drain inlets. Read more at:
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/us-epa-requires-
plastic-manufacturer-protect-santa-clara-river-
pollution
EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman
- Washington, DC 20460
- Phone: 1-800-368-5888

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DECEMBER 2016
EPA's Region 5, the Metal Finishing Industry and the Small Business Environmental
Assistance Programs Partnered on Compliance Assistance for the
Plating and Polishing Rule
After EPA Region 5 inspectors found compliance issues at
metal finishing shops affected by the Plating and Polishing
Rule, 40 CFR Part 63 subpart WWWWWW (also known as
6W), EPA staff reached out to the state Small Business
Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAP) in the region
for assistance in providing outreach and compliance
assistance to this predominantly small business industry. In
November, Region 5's state SBEAPs met with
representatives from the National Association of Surface
Finishers (www.nasf.ori) and local industry service
providers to familiarize themselves with key industry
practices and terminology which can help businesses
effectively communicate how certain compliance
requirements are being m et if they are inspected. For
example, the rule states the affected source should use
"wetting agent/fume suppressant" to reduce surface tension
in a bath and, thereby, minimizing emissions. The industry
vendors explained that nickel plating is already a low
emitting process when compared to chrome plating. In most
cases, the plating operations affected by this rule will use a
wetting agent that is included in the chemical formula of
what the industry calls a "brightener package" added to one
of the plating baths. The required wetting agent is included
in the "brightener package" to improve the quality of the
nickel finish and the emissions reduction is a side benefit of
the chemistry. Chrome plating, in contrast, has much higher
gassing rates and needs additional fume suppressants to
reduce emissions. Region 5 SBEAPs and industry
representatives are partnering to create industry outreach
and simplified compliance tools to address key compliance
concerns observed by EPA inspectors. The group believes
that the creation of simplified recordkeeping tools, effective
industry education, and the industry's improved ability to
communicate/demonstrate their compliance should result in
better compliance. In addition, the group plans to build
upon the resources of one of EPA's Compliance Assistance
Centers, the National Metal Finishing Resource Center that
can be found at http://www.nmfrc.orgy'. Region 5 includes
the following states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota,
Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.
EPA, OSDBU and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888
WISCONSIN
DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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DECEMBER 2016
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
EPA FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES
SUBJECT: Notice of Data Availability Concerning
the Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support
Rule
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsvs/pkg/rR-2016-12-
14/pdf/2016-29896.pdf
Federal Register: Vol. 81, No. 240, Wednesday,
December 14, 2016/Proposed Rule
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency
ACTION: Proposed Rule
SUMMARY: This Notice provides an opportunity to
comment on new information that pertains to the
proposed provisions for ethanol flex fuel contained in the
Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS)
rule which was published in the Federal Register on
November 16, 2016. The new information is contained in
the report titled "Property Analysis of Ethanol—Natural
Gasoline—BOB Blends to Make Flex Fuel" that has
been placed in the public docket for this action. In the
proposed REGS rule, the EPA proposed volatility
standards for ethanol flex fuel (EFF) to prevent excessive
evaporative emissions that could adversely affect the
emissions control systems of flexible fuel vehicles
(FFVs) and human health. Comments are due or on
before January 17, 2017.
SUBJECT: Air Quality Designations for the 2010
Sulfur Dioxide (S02)
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsvs/pkg/FR-2016-12-
13/pdf/2016-29561.pdf
Federal Register: Vol. 81, No. 239,
Tuesday, December 13, 2016/Rules and Regulations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency
ACTION: Final Rule
SUMMARY: This rule establishes the initial air quality
designations for four areas in Texas for the 2010 primary
sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality
Standard (NAAQS). The effective date of this rule is
January 12, 2017.
EPA recently announced the donation of 120 laptop
computers to the Newport News School District as part
of an ongoing effort to keep harmful electronics away
from landfills and put them to productive use in
schools. "Donating or recycling consumer electronics
like laptop computers conserves our natural resources
and avoids air and water pollution as well as
greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by
manufacturing raw materials," said EPA Mid-Atlantic
Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "This
donation is especially rewarding because the laptops
will be put to valuable use by the Newport News
School District." The computers are being donated
under the U.S. General Services Administration's
Computers for Learning Program that encourages
government agencies to transfer excess computers and
related peripheral equipment to schools and educational
nonprofit organizations. Recycling or reusing
electronics helps divert waste from landfills. Read
more at:
https://www.epa. gov/newsrel eases/epa-recycles-120-
laptops-donation-newport-news-schools
EPA Recycles 120 Laptops with Donation
to Newport News Schools
EPA, OSDBU, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888

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SMALL-BIZ@EPA
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE
SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
DECEMBER 2016
EPA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is
Requesting Nominees for the Administrator's 27th Annual Small Business Program
Awards Ceremony
On December 16, 2016, OSDBU issued a
formal request to the Agency for
nominations for the Administrator's 27th
Annual Small Business Program Awards.
The ceremony is scheduled to be held
tentatively on May 4, 2017. The awards
recognize various program activities,
individuals, businesses, and state and local
entities for their outstanding contributions in
Fiscal Year 2016.
To receive a copy of the award
procedures and nomination forms for the
various awards, and with any questions
you may have, please contact Bridgette
Dent at dent.bridgette@epa. gov or she
can be reached on (202) 566-2819.
Nominations should be sent
electronically to Bridgette no later than
February 10, 2017.
http://www2.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses
EPA Seeks Nominations for Environmental Champions
Each year, the EPA recognizes and honors
environmental trailblazers - individuals, businesses
and organizations that have contributed significantly to
improving the environment and protecting public
health. EPA is seeking nominations of environmental
stewards within its region covering New Jersey, New
York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight
federally recognized Indian Nations who have gone
above and beyond for environmental change in local
communities. Winners will be honored with this
annual award at a ceremony in the Spring of 2017 at
EPA's regional office in Manhattan. The Agency is
accepting nominations for its Environmental
Champion Awards until February 3, 2017.
"EPA's prestigious Environmental Champion Award
recognizes the hard work, vision and courage
exhibited by local leaders who are committed to
environmental protection. Everyone is encouraged to
nominate people who are stellar leaders in this arena,"
said EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Catherine
McCabe.
To nominate an individual or organization, please
visit EPA's Environmental Champion Award webpage
at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/environmental-
champi on-awards.
The site also includes details about award criteria,
prior winners and application instructions

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