epa small business ombudsman (osdbu) opening doors for america’s small businesses program overview...
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EPASmall Business Ombudsman (OSDBU)
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
Program Overview of the
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
The EPA Small Business Ombudsman (SBO)
Small
Biz
SBO
EPA
Education and Outreach
Small Business Advocate
Support Nation-wide network of Small Business Compliance Assistance Providers
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
Gateway to EPA
• Operate toll-free hotline for compliance and technical information
• Maintain EPA SBO website (www.epa.gov/sbo)• Broker meetings between small business
stakeholders and Agency staff• Coordinate issues between small businesses and
EPA regarding policies and regulations • Support EPA Regional Small Business Liaisons
through an annual conference, conference calls, and the establishment of an FTE position in each region
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
Advocate for Small Businesses
• Ensure that small business needs are addressed in rulemaking
• Participate in the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) process
• Reduce Paperwork Burden for Small Businesses
• Manage EPA’s Small Business Strategy and Implementation Plan
• Review Agency regulations and guidance documents to enhance understanding by small business owners
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
• Coordinate approaches within EPA, and with other federal agencies, to help small businesses understand and meet their environmental responsibilities
• Build better understanding within EPA of the diversity, needs, and most effective ways to work with small businesses
• Emphasize partnership and stakeholder involvement • Strengthen the environmental performance of
small businesses • Instill the concept of environmental stewardship
in small businesses
Small Business Strategy and Implementation Plan
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
Education and Outreach
• Publish electronic newsletter on small business issues and environmental actions
• Provide publications, regulations, guidance and develop tools to promote voluntary compliance
• Develop and provide training for state Small Business Environmental Assistance Providers and for small business owners who are members of state Compliance Advisory Panels (CAP)
• Conduct annual EPA Regional Small Business Liaison Conference
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
Small Business Environmental Assistance National Network
• Help states and territories implement the requirements of Section 507 of the Clean Air Act Amendments CAPs, SBOs, and Small Business
Environmental Assistance Programs
(SBEAP)• Sponsor annual national SBO/SBEAP
Conference• Coordinate small business compliance
assistance activities with EPA program and regional offices
• Support EPA Regional Small Business Liaisons
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
Small Business Environmental Assistance National Network
Continued. . . .
• Maintain dialogue with trade associations on environmental issues that potentially impact thousands of small businesses
• Represent EPA in partnerships with other federal, state, and private organizations
• Promote national communication through the Smallbiz website (www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org)
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
EPA Regional Small Business Liaisons
• Promote regional coordination of outreach to small businesses
• Help small businesses understand and meet their obligations under EPA regulations
• Provide information to assistance providers• Assist SBOs/SBEAPs in the region
Opening Doors for America’s Small Businesses
For More Information
• Angela Suber, Acting SBO Phone: 202-566-2827 Main Line: 566-2075 Fax: 202-566-1505 [email protected]
• Toll free hotline: 800-368-5888• Small Business Environmental
Homepage: www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org