Business Assistance Program
SWCAA provides free, non-regulatory assistance to businesses seeking to comply with clean air requirements. The program helps companies understand air regulations and complete permit applications, works to keep companies informed through local building departments, participates in business fairs and arranges helpful workshops. Other information offered includes:  

FAQ 

Consultants and Contractors

Permitting Guidance

  • Natural Gas/Boiler and/or Combustion Sources (Word format or PDF) - Permitting guidance for natural gas boilers and/or combustion units.

Emission Inventory Guidance

Source Test Report Guidance

  • Preferred Content/Format of Stack Test Reports (Word format or PDF) - Test plans are required to be submitted to SWCAA prior to testing. Generally the plans must be submitted 2 weeks prior to testing but may be different based on individual facility permit conditions. Generally, source test reports are to be submitted to SWCAA not more than 45 days from the end of the testing. This is a permit condition and is enforceable. Tune up test reports are generally to be submitted to SWCAA no later than 10 working days after completion.

Toxic Air Pollution Guidance

Attention Auto Body Shops: EPA's Collision Repair Campaign

Other Important Resources

As SWCAA has been successful in working with large emitters to reduce permitted pollution rates throughout southwest Washington, it has found a need to redesign its business outreach and assistance efforts to increase efficiency and cohesiveness with other agency programs. The businesses assistance web pages have been integrated into a coherent SWCAA website. In addition, outreach also includes a regular agency newsletter. Of course, free information and assistance remains available; simply call us at 360-574-3058 or e-mail us. As always, your suggestions for what you'd like to see in a continuously improving business assistance program are welcome.

EPA Information

Small Business Gateway
http://www.epa.gov/smallbusiness/
The EPA's Small Business Gateway offers a centralized location from which to access a wide range of environmental information and technical assistance resources. The Frequently Answered Questions page covers such questions as obtaining permits, registering pesticides, and what do in the event of an environmental emergency. This site also provides links to contacts for compliance and technical assistance, to the laws and regulations affecting your business, and to environmental programs that can help you save money and improve profits. 

The Small Business Ombudsman Program
http://www.epa.gov/ormisbo1/index.htm
The Office of the Small Business Ombudsman serves as an effective conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency. The Office reviews and resolves disputes with EPA and works with EPA personnel to increase their understanding of small businesses in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations. The home page links to publications, frequently asked questions, and the small business environmental home page.

Government Information

Energy Saving Tips for Small Businesses
http://www.eren.doe.gov/energytips/
This informative site, offered by the U.S. Department of Energy, walks small businesses through the energy efficient steps they can take to save money. In addition to quick tips, they have provided detailed information about how to implement your own long-term energy conservation efforts, where to turn for expert assistance, numerous creative financing options, and a list of further references and sources. They also ask for stories of energy savings, so as to share them with other small businesses. 

California Air Resources Board Business Assistance Program
http://www.arb.ca.gov/ba/ba.htm
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has developed a business assistance program to help all businesses understand air pollution requirements. The site offers business assistance materials as well as information on pollution prevention, information on their air pollution training courses, and compliance materials. Not only does this site aid California businesses, but it also provides a thorough listing of many other state Small Business Assistance Programs available on the Internet.

Academic Information

Green Zia Environmental Excellence Program
http://p2.utep.edu/projects/2000CriteriaR_final.cfm
The Green Zia Environmental Excellence Program is a voluntary program designed to assist all New Mexico businesses, large and small, achieve environmental excellence through continuous environmental improvement. The program encourages the establishment of a prevention-based environmental management system. The site presents technical tools for integrating pollution prevention strategies, as well as guidelines for measuring its effectiveness. The Governor of New Mexico makes recognitions and awards annually to organizations that successfully participate in the program.

Business/Corporate/Non-Profit Information

Small Business Environmental Home Page
http://www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org/
This site is sponsored by the US EPA and maintained by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), a nonprofit organization committed to assisting industry and government improve the quality of their products and services. They designed this site to act as a clearinghouse for information on achieving environmental regulatory compliance and for obtaining funding assistance for eligible businesses. They also offer a comprehensive inventory of online publications and fact sheets and a catalog of guidance and demonstration videos for an array of industries.