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The EPA Small Business Ombudsman (SBO). EPA. Small Biz. SBO. Education and Outreach Small Business Advocate Support Nation-wide network of Small Business Compliance Assistance Providers. Gateway to EPA. Operate toll-free hotline for compliance and technical information
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The EPA Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) EPA Small Biz SBO Education and Outreach Small Business Advocate Support Nation-wide network of Small Business Compliance Assistance Providers
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
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
Small Business Strategy and Implementation Plan • 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
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
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
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)
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
For More Information • Angela Suber, Acting SBO • Phone: 202-566-2827 • Main Line: 566-2075 • Fax: 202-566-1505 • suber.angela@epa.gov • Toll free hotline: 800-368-5888 • Small Business Environmental Homepage: www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org