Small Business Assistance Programs: Small Business Services Defined
Mission
To assist small businesses with air quality and other regulatory requirements, encouraging environmental compliance and stewardship.
What We Do
As part of Section 507 of the Clean Air Act Amendments, as amended in 1990 (CAAA), the U.S. Congress mandated that each state/territory establish a Small Business stationary source Technical and environmental Compliance assistance Program (SBTCP) to assist small businesses in complying with the requirements of this Act through state operated programs. Each SBTCP, also commonly referred to as "Section 507 programs", is required to include the following three components:
Small Business Ombudsman (SBO)
Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP)
Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP)
Small Business Ombudsman (SBO)
The state/territory SBOs serve as the small business community's representative where small businesses are impacted by the CAA. The SBO's key responsibilities may include:
- Review and provide recommendations to EPA and state/local air pollution control authorities regarding development and implementation of regulations impacting small businesses.
- Assist in dissemination of information about upcoming air regulations, control requirements, and other matters relevant to small businesses.
- Refer small businesses to appropriate specialists for help with specific needs.
- Conduct studies to evaluate the effects of the CAA on state and local economies, and on small businesses generally.
Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP)
The SBAPs should provide sufficient communications with small businesses through the collection and dissemination of information to the small businesses on matters of:
- Determining applicable requirements under the Act and permit issuance.
- The rights of small businesses under the Act.
- Compliance methods and acceptable control technologies.
- Pollution prevention and accidental release prevention and detection.
- Audit programs.
Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP)
The CAP is created at the state level and is comprised of at least seven members:
- Two members who are not owners of small business stationary sources -- selected by the Governor to represent the public.
- Two members who are owners of small business stationary sources -- selected by the lower house of the state legislature.
- Two members who are owners of small business stationary sources -- selected by the upper house of the state legislature.
- One member from the state air pollution permit program -- selected by the head of that agency.
The responsibilities of the CAP are to:
- Render advisory opinions concerning the effectiveness of the SBTCP, difficulties encountered, and degree and severity of enforcement.
- Report on the compliance of the SBTCP with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and the Equal Access to Justice Act.
- Submit periodic reports to EPA's SBO.
- Review information for small business stationary sources to ensure it is understandable to the layperson.