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ENVIRONMENTAL LAW WITHOUT THE "LEGALESE" - EPA Center De-Mystifies Regulations for Small Businesses and their Lawyers

Release Date: 4/7/1999
Contact Information: Richard Segrave-Daly 215-814-5535

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency knows that most business owners want to be responsible environmental citizens.  However, many small and medium-sized businesses -- and their lawyers -- often have difficulty dealing with the confusing array of air, water, waste and toxics laws that affect their operations.

The Business Assistance Center of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, helps companies and their counsel cut through the red tape of regulatory requirements, so they can concentrate on taking care of business.  

The Business Assistance Center offers the following free services to businesses in Region III, which includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.  The Business Assistance Center’s hotline number is 800-228-8711.

1.  Compliance Assistance:   Provide information on environmental requirements, providing regulatory and technical assistance in response to inquiries from the small business community, and helping provide training to groups of small businesses.

2.  Small Business Liaison:   Serve as a liaison for small businesses, providing  a convenient central access point in their interactions with the Region. Center staff cooperate with business-related trade and professional associations, service providers, and state and local small business assistance programs.
       
3.  Pollution Prevention:   Promote pollution prevention among small businesses, and recruits for EPA's partnership programs such as Energy Star and Waste Wise.

4.  Environmental Technology Development:  Encourage innovative environmental technologies developed by firms in Region III.  The Center provide links to marketing resources, as well as federal research, development and verification facilities.  

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