v>EPA SmallBiz@EPA EPA's Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman Program A monthly newsletter for the regulated small business community [ rtt liM ttftt ttttt __ . J December 2022 Policy & Regulation | Key Dates & Upcoming Opportunities | Ask SBEAP | Policy & Regulation EPA Issues Final List of Contaminants for Potential Regulatory Consideration in Drinking Water, Significantly Increases PFAS Chemicals for Review Ori November 2, 2022, EPA published the Final Fifth Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 5), which will serve as the basis for EPA's regulatory considerations over the next five-year cycle under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This update includes a substantial expansion of per- and polyfluoroalkyi substances (PFAS), an important first step towards identifying additional PFAS that may require regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Read the press release Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Area Sources EPA has listed "Paint Stripping," "Plastic Parts and Products (Surface Coating)," and "Autobody Refinishing Paint Shops" as area sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) that contribute to the risk to public health in urban areas under the Integrated Urban Air Toxics Strategy. This final rule includes emissions standards that reflect the generally available control technology or management practices in each of these area source categories. For the purpose of this standard, paint stripping operations are those that perform paint stripping using methylene chloride (MeCI) for the removal of dried paint (including but not limited to paint, enamel, varnish, shellac, and lacquer) from wood, metal, plastic, and other substrates at area sources. Miscellaneous surface coating operations are those that involve the spray application of coatings that contain compounds of chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), or cadmium (Cd). ^ Implementation of the final standards will achieve a reduction of 6,900 tons per year (tpy) of HAP from surface coating operations. In addition to the HAP, it is estimated a reduction of 2,900 tpy of PM emissions, and a reduction of approximately 20,900 tpy of VOC emissions. Read the full text ------- Biden-Harris Administration Strengthens Proposal to Cut Methane Pollution to Protect Communities, Combat Climate Change, and Bolster American Innovation On November 11, 2022, at COP27 in Egypt, EPA announced it is strengthening its proposed standards to cut methane and other harmful air pollution. If finalized, these critical, commonsense standards will protect workers and communities, maintain, and create high-quality, union-friendly jobs, and promote U.S. innovation and manufacturing of critical new technologies, all while delivering significant economic benefits through increased recovery of wasted gas. The updates would provide more comprehensive requirements to reduce climate and health-harming air pollution, including from hundreds of thousands of existing oil and gas sources nationwide. It would promote the use of innovative methane detection technologies and other cutting-edge solutions, many of which are being developed and deployed by small businesses providing good-paying jobs across the United States. The new proposal also includes a ground-breaking "Super-Emitter Response Program" that would require operators to respond to credible third-party reports of high-volume methane leaks. EPA will take comment on the supplemental proposal until February 13, 2023 and will hold a virtual public hearing January 10 and 11, 2023. Registration for the public hearing will open after the supplemental proposal is published in the Federal Register. EPA intends to issue a final rule sometime in 2023. Read the full press release EPA Finds Methylene Chloride Poses an Unreasonable Risk to Human Health On November 10, 2022, EPA finalized a revision to the risk determination for methylene chloride, finding that methylene chloride, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health when evaluated under its conditions of use. The next step in the process is to develop a risk management rulemaking to identify and apply measures that will manage these risks. Methylene chloride is a volatile chemical used as a solvent in vapor degreasing, metal cleaning, in the production of refrigerant chemicals, and as an ingredient in sealants and adhesive removers. Common consumer uses include adhesives, sealants, degreasers, cleaners and automobile products. Read the full press release EPA Announces Supplemental Proposed Rule to Modify Toxic Substances Control Act Fees Rule On November 17, 2022, EPA issued a supplemental proposed rule modifying and adjusting certain aspects of the fees rule established under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA is publishing these changes to ensure that collected fees provide the Agency with 25% of authorized TSCA costs consistent with direction in the FY 2022 appropriations bill to consider the "full" implementation costs of the law. Updating TSCA fees will strengthen EPA's ability to successfully implement TSCA in a way that's both protective and sustainable and significantly improve on-time performance and quality. Read the press release ------- Key Dates and Upcoming Opportunities EPA Seeks Public Input on Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Fight Climate Change, Protect Health, and Advance Environmental Justice On November 4, 2020, EPA announced initial public engagement and input opportunities for a subset of new and existing programs funded by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. These programs, which include funding for air quality projects and climate projects addressing clean energy, transportation, methane emissions, and climate super-pollutants, will advance the President's bold agenda to combat the climate crisis, protect public health and advance environmental justice. EPA published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public comment on core design aspects of multiple Inflation Reduction Act programs, a crucial first step as the Agency works to implement historic levels of funding from this legislation. These initial engagements will help ensure the design and implementation of the programs reflect input from a broad coalition of stakeholders to ensure the full economic and environmental benefits of this historic investment are realized by all people, particularly those who have been most burdened by environmental, social, and economic injustice. RoaH tho fi ill Biden-Harris Administration Announces Selection of 29 EPA Environmental Finance Centers to Help Communities Access Funds for Infrastructure Projects On November 4, 2022, EPA announced the selection of (EFCs^ that will help communities across the country access federal funding for infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction projects that improve public health and environmental protection. The EFCs will deliver targeted technical assistance to local governments, states, Tribes, and non-governmental organizations to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and advance environmental justice. Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the selected EFCs will help underserved communities that have historically struggled to access federal funding receive the support they need to access resources for water infrastructure improvements. EPA will award up to $150 million in grants to EFCs over the next five years, once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $98 million of the total investment through EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), with the remainder of funds coming from EPA appropriations. New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding for Recycling & Composting -- $100M is Now Available! $100M in funding is now available to help build and transform solid waste infrastructure, manage materials to achieve a circular economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create cleaner, resilient, and healthier communities. EPA is releasing new funding opportunities under the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program and the Recycling Education and Outreach Grant program, both of which were funded by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. ster for the webinars to learn more about the oroarams. I^BIwii„n8Hs^!w8iwT^BTSjgl8iairBHsWmrtn!irgB8B!w8BWTrinf5^ETla^^^^BfBBBfS!3 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Transforming U.S. Recvclina and Waste Management. Prepare now. ------- Ask SBEAP Dear SBEAP, Question: Lately there has been a lot of talk in the media about climate change and its effect on everything from the weather to water resource sustainability to frozen microbes. As a small business owner, what exactly can I do to make a difference and help stem the tide of this ever-growing problem? Sincerely, Walter Wannahelp Dear Walter: The White House has declared that climate change is an important factor in the direction of its agenda, affecting the energy, education, and manufacturing sectors just to name a few. Additionally, the EPA has put forth initiatives to help tackle the issue of climate change. Since many of the issues that stem from climate change tend to affect marginalized communities, the EPA has also tied environmental justice into the larger picture. As a small business owner, there are many steps that can be taken at the local level to help reduce your climate footprint. Decisions about your energy provider, the source of your materials and the transportation you use can all affect the climate in one way or another. Issues like refrigeration can also have far-reaching effects on the climate. Small businesses across the country can look to the federal government resources mentioned above, and they can also look to their state Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, or SBEAP, as well as the National SBEAP for further information about how small businesses can make decisions that are friendly to the climate and to the environment in general. Find your state SBEAP contact by clicking on your state or calling 800-578- 8898. Spotlight EPA Celebrates Year One Accomplishments Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law On November 15, 2022, EPA marked one year of progress in implementing President Biden's historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with the release of a new report detailing the Agency's investments in the Nation's infrastructure and communities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure law provides EPA with more than $60 billion over five years for a wide range of environmental programs that will bring much- needed funding to America's water infrastructure, environmental cleanups, and clean air protections, while also advancing environmental justice and combatting climate change. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Year One Anniversary Report highlights how EPA is working with state, local, and Tribal partners to transform communities through the largest appropriation the Agency has ever received. EPA has already awarded $5.5 billion of the $14.1 billion available in FY 2022 through grants, contracts, and interagency agreements, and program implementation efforts and will continue to build on this progress in the coming year. Read the full press release ------- EPA Highlights Important Progress in Protecting Communities from PFAS On November 17, 2022, EPA released Year of Progress Under EPA's PFAS Strateqic Roadma which underscores key actions taken by the agency during the first year of implementing the PFAS Roadmap. EPA is implementing a whole-of-agency approach, advancing science, and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. EPA also announced that it will hold virtual community engagement events in each EPA Region in 2023. These engagements align with recommendations from the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and EPA's Roadmap commitment to engage directly with stakeholders. Recognizing the unique and pervasive impacts of PFAS on Tribal communities, EPA is also planning to hold a session specifically designed to hear from our Tribal partners. More information on these sessions will be available onila^^PSaSlncludina an opportunity to register to provide input. release Read the press Share with the small business community through EPA's SmallBiz@EPA Bulletin Do you have a story, upcoming event, resource, or information that may be beneficial to the small business community? Please email us at asbo@epa.gov to provide a brief submission with a suggested title, your contact information, and a website link for more information on the topic. EPA Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman Program 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Mail Code: 1230A Washington, D.C. 20460 Hotline: 800-368-5888 Email: asbo@epa.gov Website: epa.qov/resources-small-businesses/asbo ------- |