Small businesses, along with large industries, are the backbone of the U.S. economy. Some emit regulated toxic and volatile pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act. These regulations are in place to protect public health and the environment. According to the EPA, “For more than 40 years, the Clean Air Act has cut pollution as the U.S. economy has grown.”
Air quality regulations can vary by state, but typically require small businesses to identify and calculate emission potentials, then determine if specific emissions require an air permit. This process can be very confusing for small business that don’t have an environmental team on staff. SBEAP can act as that team, helping small businesses navigate the emission calculation and permitting process.
Air quality resources, rules and tools
The resources below link to frequently used and new air quality EPA rules, as well as state or federal compliance assistance tools that have been developed. To find state-specific information not listed here, go to state contacts.
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Major source reclassification – allows a major source of hazardous air pollutants to be reclassified as an area source when limiting emissions
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Economic and cost analysis for air pollution regulations — provides access to EPA documents and tools relating to cost, benefits and economic impacts of national stationary source air pollution regulations
Air quality compliance and pollution prevention tools
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SNAP – resource to identify and evaluate substitutes for ozone-depleting substances
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EPA Safer Choice – EPA program that evaluates and promotes products containing ingredients safer for human health and the environment
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Toxics Use Reduction Institute – provides assessments and comparisons of various solvents and less-toxic alternatives