The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is celebrating national recognition for its Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP). The program was honored with the Excellence Award by the National Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at a ceremony in Chattanooga this month. This prestigious award is in recognition of the program’s outstanding performance in providing compliance assistance, sustainability initiatives, advocacy, and collaboration at the national level.
TDEC Commissioner David Salyers expressed his pride in the program, highlighting its role as a supportive resource for businesses navigating environmental regulations. “This is a great example of how TDEC can be a resource, not just a regulator, when it comes to helping businesses navigate environmental requirements,” Salyers commented. He also extended his gratitude for the national acknowledgment of the program’s efforts to assist Tennessee’s small businesses.
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The SBEAP aims to help small businesses in Tennessee comply with environmental regulations by offering guidance and resources. Understanding that small businesses might not be well-versed in complex regulations, the program’s staff, who are not regulators, offer a penalty-free space for businesses to seek assistance. This initiative not only serves as a bridge between regulatory agencies and businesses but also supports internal collaboration within TDEC and other departments like the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
To aid small businesses, the SBEAP develops various outreach materials, including training programs, brochures, and webinars. These resources are designed to help businesses understand and comply with both state and federal regulations. The program primarily addresses air regulations but also offers assistance with water and land regulations. It defines a small business as one with fewer than 100 employees that is not a major air emissions source or a large quantity generator of hazardous waste.
The SBEAP, established by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, operates without federal funding, relying instead on state air permit fees for support. Similar programs exist in most states, with some local variations.
For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Environmental Assistance Program and its services, visit https://www.tn.gov/environment/sbeap.html.
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Tennessee Celebrates 20 Years of Business Diversity Efforts
The Department of General Services and the Central Procurement Office of Tennessee are marking the 20th anniversary of the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise with a conference on April 4, 2024, in Nashville to promote economic inclusion for diverse businesses.