Objective

The Small Business Environmental Ombudsman (SBEO) provides New York state small businesses free and confidential assistance to understand and comply with state and federal environmental air regulations.

Overview

The SBEO program offers compliance assistance services to help businesses:

• Understand the state and federal environmental air regulations that apply to their business
• Develop a plan of action, to address environmental air quality issues
• Get referrals to other assistance programs including but not limited to the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) that provides technical services including air permitting assistance

The SBEO program provides:

• A toll-free hotline (877) 247-2329 for confidential compliance inquiries
• Guidance to small businesses responding to regulatory violations and enforcement actions
• Assistance to industry organizations to assess the impact of proposed regulations on small businesses
• Workshops on special topics to help industry sectors improve compliance
• Site visits as needed

Eligibility

Any New York state brick and mortar business with 100 or fewer employees.

Resources

Below are some resources and fact sheets organized by business sector that may help your small businesses understand and comply with federal and state air regulations.  Click on the links below to learn more.

Architectural Coatings

• AIM Coating Requirements – Manufacture, Labeling, Reporting & Exemptions

Automotive Refinishing

• Air Pollution Controls – Coating Requirements, Handling & Storage, Recordkeeping
• Best Management Practices – Guide to Implementing Environmentally Friendly Practices with Autobody, Repair & Salvage Tips
• EPA Requirements – Requirements and Target HAPs
• Spray Gun Cleaning – Systems, Solvents, Pollution Prevention Tips
• Training & Certification Requirements – Program Requirements & Documentation

Crematory Operations

• Air Pollution Control Requirements – Permitting, Emission Standards, Operator Certification, Recordkeeping
• Operating Checklist – Daily & Routine Maintenance Checklists

Paint Stripping

• EPA Methylene Chloride Requirements – Determinations, Exemptions, Requirements, Recordkeeping
• Training & Certification Requirements – Program Requirements & Documentation

Sand & Gravel Operations

• State & Federal Regulations – Exemptions & Temporary Operations, Emission Requirements, Fugitive Emission Requirements

Solvent Emissions

• Regulatory Update & Pollution Prevention Tips – Latest Part 226 update, Tips & Resources to Reduce Solvent Usage

Surface Coating

• General Requirements – Part 228 Requirements & Exemptions, Handling, Storage & Disposal
• Training & Certification Requirements – Program Requirements & Documentation
• Spray Gun Cleaning – Systems, Solvents, Pollution Prevention Tips
• EPA Requirements for Metal & Plastic Coating – Compliance with Subpart 6H
• Metal Furniture & Miscellaneous Parts – Part 228 Requirements, VOC Limits, Geographic Compliance Matrix
• Wood Finishing – Permitting Requirements & VOC Limits

Contact Information

Small Business Environmental Ombudsman
Empire State Development
Phone: (877) 247-2329
Email: [email protected]

For free and confidential air permitting assistance please contact our partner program:
Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
RIT’s Pollution Prevention Institute
Phone:  (585) 475-7869
Email:  [email protected]