The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) resources are here for two reasons:
- To help with basic environmental compliance and sustainable business information, including, but not limited to, industry-specific best practices, regulatory guidance, and funding opportunities for new environmental technologies.
- To assist technical assistance providers in helping small businesses with environmental compliance and sustainable business information.
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.
Are you a small business?
That depends on what you do, the number of employees you have, and how your annual revenues affect the “size standards” of a business for federal and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) activities. You’ll also find that certain programs may have their own size standards based on their unique requirements.
For example, a Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) established through the 1990 Clean Air Act may be limited to helping businesses with fewer than 100 employees, and emissions less than 50 tons per year per pollutant or 75 tons per year of combined pollutants. However, state SBEAPs vary in criteria for which businesses they can serve. Contact your state SBEAP for more information.
Related resources
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program home page features other resources which are geared toward small businesses. The most relevant pages are linked below.
Environmental compliance
View tools, rules and useful resources related to specific sector compliance.
Compliance Assistance Centers
This website contains sector-specific environmental compliance information and is funded in part by EPA.
Industry sector websites
Specific to your industry, these websites provide helpful compliance information.
Trade associations
Founded, funded and organized by the specific industry sector or association, trade associations exist to promote your common interests.
EPA Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO)
This office serves as the conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitate communications.
EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
This EPA resource is a central resource for tools and trainings related to the air quality regulatory actions that impact small businesses. Entities can also join a Listserv that includes notifications of related regulatory actions.To subscribe to OAQPS listserv, send an email to: join-oaqps_small_business_outreach@lists.epa.gov
State SBEAP contacts
These programs provide environmental compliance technical assistance for small businesses, relaying state-specific regulations when different than federal requirements.
Tax incentives for energy efficiency and renewables
Many small business can save on their utilities by increasing their process operations and electrical efficiency. This database allows you to search by state for various financial incentives. Improving efficiency not only save you money, but it can also reduce emissions to the environment, possibly changing your need for an air permit.
- Rural Energy for America Program or REAP: Rural small businesses can apply for guaranteed loan financing and grant funding for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.
- Combined Heat and Power Partnership: Similar to the database above, this EPA tool allows users to search for financial incentives and state/federal policies that influence project development.
Compliance Advisory Panel
Referred to as the “CAP,” these are small business owners and representatives who consult and advise on SBEAP content. Contact your state SBEAP to learn about the CAP in your state or if you are interested in serving on the panel.
EPA small business compliance
EPA's plan to modernize the implementation of its Audit Policy and Small Business Compliance Policy
EPA resources for small businesses
From resources related to regulatory flexibility to learning how to become a contractor for the EPA, this page was updated in 2016 with several new resources.
Ground-level ozone (smog) information
Ground-level ozone is a serious air quality and public health concern. As a result, more stringent regulations might apply to your business, based on your location and materials used. Read more about what it means if your area is listed as a "non-attainment" area and follow the updates on the most recent Ozone National Ambient Air Quality regulations.