Small businesses looking for help in complying with environmental requirements or to save money by cutting waste, water and energy use, now have a new partner—the Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) run by Pennsylvania’s Small Business Development Centers

As part of a new partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, EMAP has established a new toll-free and confidential hotline, 1.877.ask.emap,

for small businesses statewide to call with their environmental and energy questions.

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers are a statewide consortium of sixteen universities working on local economic development issues, based at the University of Pennsylvania

“There are always so many issues small business owners must contend with, we are trying to make it a little easier by offering a convenient place, separate of the enforcement agencies, where business owners can go to ask questions and get confidential help with their regulatory concerns, permitting requirements, and environmental management strategies,” said Christopher J. Lynch, Director of the Environmental Management Assistance Program for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers.

By making this type of assistance available, both the economy and the environment benefit.

“If businesses can make improvements to reduce their wastes, their emissions, or energy use, the environmental benefits are pretty clear,” according to Lynch. “What might not be so clear, however, are the economic benefits of these improvements. If a business is no longer spending its money on gas and electric utility bills, water utility bills, permit fees, waste disposal fees, and so on, then money is freed up to help the business be more competitive and make other investments in the business – investments in things like new equipment, new inventory, new marketing, and even new jobs.”

The Environmental Management Assistance Program, comprising a team of environmental professionals positioned statewide, already has an impressive record of helping over 1,100 businesses ensure environmental compliance and improve environmental and energy performance since 2000.

The program was also recognized in 2002 with a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Services available from EMAP include:

· Regulatory compliance and permit applications: The environmental professionals at EMAP assist business owners determine their regulatory requirements and the best environmental management strategies for meeting those requirements.

· Site Visits: Sometimes the best way to improve operations at a small business is by having an “extra set of eyes” take a look and give their suggestions. EMAP environmental professionals can walk through your facility to answer compliance questions and assist with regulatory paperwork.

· Money Savings. Often, the smartest environmental management strategies look for ways to reduce environmental impact and associated regulatory requirements by switching to less toxic materials or by reducing waste and production inefficiencies. Even the smallest of businesses are frequently surprised by how much money they can save by making modest investments in energy efficiency.

Small business owners can ask EMAP for information and understandable answers to their environmental questions by:

Call the toll-free confidential environmental hotline at 877.ask.emap for fast and accurate answers to questions and to request other assistance or send email to: questions@askemap.org.

For more help, visit the Professional Services Directory.

2/11/2005