Virginia Small Business Assistance Program (VA SBAP)
The VA SBAP is a non-regulatory, voluntary program that offers small businesses free and confidential technical assistance on air quality and related environmental requirements. The program helps small businesses comply with the Clean Air Act and Virginia's environmental regulations.
Let us help you to:
- Solve environmental problems
- Understand regulatory requirements
- Determine whether a permit is needed
- Navigate permit application process
- Solve small business concerns
The VA SBAP staff provides technical assistance to small businesses via a toll-free Hot Line (1-800-592-5482 ext. 4394), and on-site evaluations. The program also develops and distributes guidance materials and conducts workshops and training. The VA SBAP staff is dedicated to helping business owners and operators learn about current regulatory requirements and recent regulatory changes, and understand the impact of these requirements on their operations.
Additional Resources
Can the VA DEQ SBAP help you?
If you are a small business owner who needs help understanding your responsibilities and rights under the Clean Air Act, or needs assistance in complying with Virginia's air regulations, then the Virginia Small Business Assistance Program can help.
The goal of the SBAP is to help small business which are potentially impacted by the Clean Air Act and Virginia Air Regulations. Provided below is the official "definition" of a small business and a list of businesses likely to be affected by the Clean Air Act. Regardless of your business size or concern, if you call the SBAP, we will try to help.
In accordance with US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, a business must meet all of the below conditions to qualify for assistance under the Small Business Assistance Program.
- It has fewer than 100 employees.
- It is not a major stationary source of air pollutants. (definition of a major source)
- It does not emit 50 tons per year of any regulated air pollutant, or 75 tons per year of all regulated air pollutants.
- It lacks environmental expertise.
- It has limited financial resources.
The Business and Industry Resources web page provides a listing of businesses likely to be affected by the Clean Air Act and Virginia's Air Regulations. This page also provides regulatory information, guidance documents, trade association listings and additional useful information.
Staff Contacts
Richard Rasmussen
Director
(804) 698-4394
rgrasmussen@deq.virginia.gov
Rodney Sobin
Environmental Engineer Consultant
(804) 698-4382
rsobin@deq.virginia.gov
Dana Brancolini
Outreach Coordinator
(804) 698-4115
drbrancolini@deq.virginia.gov
Toll-Free Hot Line: 1-800-592-5482 ext. 4394
Fax: (804) 698-4264
Mailing Address: PO Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218-1105
Physical Address: 629 East Main St, Richmond, VA 23219
Regional Contacts—staff members from each regional office are available to help the VA SBAP assist small businesses located in their region.
The Office of Small Business Assistance is in the Air Division. Other offices in this Division include Air Monitoring, Air Compliance, Air Data Analysis, Air Permitting, and Air Regulatory Development.
Free and Confidential On-Site Visits
The SBAP team visits small businesses to help owners and staff understand environmental regulations, calculate air emissions, and file appropriate reporting and compliance forms.
If you need individual attention, we will visit your facility and review your operations in detail. Contact us today to set up your free, confidential site visit.
Contact Us:
1-800-592-5482 Ext. 4394
osba@deq.virginia.gov
Program History and Background
Section 507 of the 1990 Clean Air Act requires that all U.S. States have a small business assistance program. In 1992, the VA General Assembly established the Small Business Assistance Program in Virginia, with the passage of Senate Bill 509 and the subsequent changes to Virginia's Air Pollution Control Law, §10.1-1323 to §10.1-1326 of the Code of Virginia. (caa507.html)
Compliance Advisory Panel
In 1992, the Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Small Business Environmental Compliance Advisory Panel. The panel consists of representatives from small businesses, the Virginia government and the public (see member list below). The Compliance Advisory Panel independently oversees the SBAP. The Panel reviews SBAP materials, that are developed for small businesses, to ensure clarity and ease of understanding. The Panel also develops and disseminates reports and advisory opinions on the SBAP and small business impacts/concerns. The Compliance Advisory Panel meets on a quarterly basis to discuss issues and projects related to small business environmental compliance.
Members of the Small Business Environmental Compliance Advisory Panel:
John P. Dwyer, Chairman
5508 Flag Run Drive
Springfield, VA 22151
Kelly Harris-Braxton
5628 Langdon Ct.
Richmond, VA 23225
Mrs. Dyane B. Pergerson
Kanawha Medical Supply Co. Inc
7009 Forest Hill Avenue
Richmond, VA 23225
Tom Sheets, Ad hoc member
Vice President
Blue Ridge Lumber, Inc
P. O. Box 89
Fisherville, VA 22939
Patricia Carroll
2580 S. Arlington Mill Dr. #E.
Arlington, VA 22206
Dr. Tom Digges, Jr.
Virginia Semiconductor
1501 Powhatan St .
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Howard L. Rogers
1907 Glenthorne Rd.
Richmond, VA 23222
Vacant
Ombudsman
The Acting Ombudsman of the Virginia Small Business Assistance Program is Richard Rasmussen. Mr. Rasmussen is the Director of the Small Business Assistance Program of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. He can be contact by phone at 804-698-4394 or toll-free in Virginia at 1-800-592-5482 or by e-mail at rgrasmussen@deq.virginia.gov
The Ombudsman represents the interest of small businesses; resolves small business complaints, and acts as an advocate for the small business community. The Ombudsman is expected to carry out the following duties:
- Conduct independent evaluations of all aspects of the SBAP;
- Provide comments and recommendations to the EPA and State/local air pollution control authorities;
- Facilitate and promote the participation of small businesses in the development of new regulations;
- Assist in providing reports to higher authorities and the public;
- Aid in the dissemination of information to small businesses and other interested parties;
- Participate in and sponsor meetings and conferences with State/local regulatory officials, industry groups, and small business representatives;
- Investigate and resolve complaints by small businesses;
- Operate a toll free telephone Hot Line (1-800-592-5482) to provide confidential help on individual source problems and grievances;
- Periodically review the work and services provided by the SBAP with trade associations and small business representatives;
- Refer small businesses to the appropriate specialists in the SBAP;
- Arrange for and assist in the preparation of guideline documents by the SBAP to ensure that the language is readily understandable by the lay person;
- Work with trade associations and small businesses to bring about voluntary compliance;
- Interface with Regional and State offices of the Small Business Administration, the Department of Commerce and/or other States;
- Interface with private sector financial institutions to assist small businesses in locating funding sources to comply with State/local air pollution control requirements; and
- Conduct studies to evaluate the impacts of the Act on the State's economy, local economies, and small businesses.