Background

Section 507 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required each state to establish a Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) and Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) to help small businesses understand and comply with new air pollution regulations. In addition, a seven-member Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP) in each state oversees the SBAP and SBO to ensure these programs provide useful services and regulatory guidance to small businesses.
 

Enabling legislation

In Ohio, the SBAP created by ORC 3704.18 is housed within Ohio EPA’s Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP). The SBO created by ORC 3706.19 is housed within the Clean Air Resource Center of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority.  CAP appointment procedures and duties are outlined in ORC 3704.19.  In addition, Ohio’s CAP receives support from a national coalition of state CAPs in communicating small business interests to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Small Business Ombudsman in Washington, DC. 

Current members and contacts

The following fact sheet describes the function, mission, and current CAP members.

The following Summary of Appointments lists the CAP members, appointing authority, represented entity, and term dates.

Meeting schedule and past meeting minutes

The CAP meets quarterly to review the work of the SBAP and SBO offices.  The CAP provides input from a small business perspective on new compliance assistance initiatives, environmental regulations, and Agency actions. 

2012 Meeting Schedule 

WINTER:  Thursday, February 9, 2012  via WebEx

SPRING:  Thursday, May 10, 2012  at Ohio EPA, Columbus

SUMMER:  Thursday, August 9, 2012  via WebEx

FALL:  Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Ohio EPA, Columbus  

 For more information about the CAP, contact Rick Carleski, OCAPP Supervisor, at (614) 728-1742 or rick.carleski@epa.ohio.gov.