EPA's Asbestos Small Business Ombudsman

EPA’s Asbestos Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO) serves as a conduit for small businesses to access EPA; facilitating communications between the small business community and the Agency. The ASBO advocates for small business issues, partners with state Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs), EPA Regional Small Business Liaisons (RSBLs), small business trade associations, EPA headquarters and regional offices, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal agencies to reach out to the small business community.

Specific ASBO services include:

• Liaison between EPA and the small business community;
• Advocate for small business during the EPA rulemaking process;
• Support national network of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs), including the cooperative agreement that funds the nationalsbeap.org website;
• Operating a toll free hotline for the convenience of small businesses and the general public, seeking free, confidential help as it relates to a variety of environmental regulatory topics. The toll-free hotline number is: (800) 368-5888 or (202) 566-1970 (in DC area).

Contact:
Joan B. Rogers
EPA Small Business Ombudsman
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Mail Code: 1230T
Phone: 202-564-6568
Fax: 202-566-1505

Paula Hoag, Small Business Ombudsman staff, 202-566-2496

Elnora Thompson, Small Business Ombudsman staff, 202-566-1808