Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention

What are the benefits to you in working with OCAPP?

Many businesses that have worked with us have said that they were glad they contacted OCAPP and received assistance.  Benefits include:

• Saving money and improving business performance;
• Achieving environmental compliance;
• Reducing liability and potential for violations or penalties;
• Protecting your workers' health and safety; and
• Helping preserve natural resources.

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 inORC 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.

2013 Meeting Schedule 

WINTER:  Thursday, February 14, 2013  via WebEx

SPRING:  Thursday, May 9, 2013  at Ohio EPA, Columbus

SUMMER:  Thursday, August 8, 2013  via WebEx

FALL:  Thursday, November 14, 2013 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.

Many businesses that have worked with us have said that they were glad they contacted OCAPP and received assistance.  Some examples follow:

“Thanks and keep up the good work. The OCAPP has been very helpful to us.”

- An Automotive Parts Manufacturer

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to visit our operation. I’m sure the information you have provided will be very instrumental in improving our green programs here in Napoleon.”

- A Small Business

“Great info – Thanks!”

- An Aircraft Business

“Great stuff!! We are in the process now and this is a great follow up piece…”

- A Small Business

“Thanks so much for the quick response! I appreciate your help!”

- An Automotive Parts Manufacturer

“This is a lot of great information. Thank you so much for putting this time in.”

- A Large Business

“I wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU! for all of your help. You helped us in becoming compliant in our new business. Your time spent with us really educated us on our environmental impact. Any business is difficult to begin, but when educated, it lessens the difficulties. We now can start the “growing process” without the fear of not understanding lengthy and difficult rules. OCAPP and you are a tremendous program! You guys keep up the good work!”

- An Automotive Business

“I would like to commend [OCAPP employee] on the depth and timeliness of response to my recent inquiries pertaining to the OEPA’s “views” on certain aspects of RCRA in a hospital pharmacy setting. His responses have been informative, and most of all helpful, which for someone noted experience[d] in legal jargon, can be quite confusing. We tend to only report poor service these days. If he as is busy as the rest of us, and I’m sure he is, then this [is] well deserved.”

- A Local Hospital

“Thanks very much gentlemen. This looks like a “ton” of useful information that we can look into. This will certainly take some time but be assured I will investigate some of these possibilities over time. Again, great information and I appreciate all of your time and efforts.”

- A Paint Manufacturer

“I shared the report you sent out last week with some of our management crew, asked them to look though and get back on it… it was greatly appreciated by all. I am hoping that we can use some of the ideas you had and the many different vendors contact information segments will be real beneficial as well! Some of the things you had listed we already were looking into, but there were many items that I am sure will get us researching into in the near future.”

- A Metal Finisher

“I thank you so much for the advice and assistance you provided in helping us to properly dispose of the dental materials. Not only did your expertise save me considerable expense but it is gratifying to know that some of the materials will be put to good use. I have shared my appreciation with anyone who will listen; it's always helpful for a governmental agency to get unsolicited good reviews.”

- A Dentist’s Office

“I am writing this letter to express to you what a great help your [OCAPP employee] was in helping us to fill out the OEPA forms for pollution control. He is very patient and helpful. He is extremely knowledgeable in his work and is very good to work with.

I cannot express to you our gratitude for having a man of his ability and personality helping us fill out these forms. With sincere regards, we feel you have an exceptional man in [OCAPP employee].”

- A Stone Products Company

“I would like to thank [OCAPP] for all of its assistance. [OCAPP employee] travelled here several times, as well as to Dayton to meet with RAPCA. [OCAPP employee] has been an outstanding representative for [OCAPP]. [OCAPP employee] was very helpful to me in explaining much of the complicated terminology and procedures of the EPA.”

- A Metal Finishing Company

“Thank you for the wonderful information. I always appreciate your e-mails! Could you please forward your slides on green Chemistry? I have been talking with a Biochemist and leader in Nanotechnology here in Columbus about the potential for Green Chemistry. I think he will find this information useful.”

- A Small Business

Many businesses that have worked with us have said that they were glad they contacted OCAPP and received assistance.  Some examples follow:

“Thank you greatly for being able to help…”

- A State Environmental Association

“Thanks very much for your support

- An Academic Institution

“Thanks a lot! You guys did an outstanding job. You guys really make a difference.”

- A State Agency

“Thank you so much for all your help. What a blessing you are. I appreciate your being so kind and giving me this great info.”

- A State Agency

“She (OCAPP staff person) has been a fantastic partner over the last two years. She was one of the reasons for the conference success and our ability to continue this project. She helped set-up the speakers and the three sessions that were provided. We will be moving the location and are hoping to have 300 employers attend this conference. I would like to thank her for her advice, professionalism and assistance over the past two years. She is an asset to your agency.”

- A State Agency Field Operations Office

“The timeliness of your presentation was excellent and your detailed discussion on the RACT rule and the impact (or potential impact) on them was very clear and concise. I also had several comments from members about your description of available EPA services.”

- A Regional Printing Association

Many businesses that have worked with us have said that they were glad they contacted OCAPP and received assistance. Some examples follow:

“Thanks so much for your time and ensuring other people are responding! Your responses have been the most detailed and helpful so far.”

- A Private Citizen

“Thanks for the lead… I will follow up with your recommendations.”

- A Private Citizen

“Wow, this is amazing! Thank you so much for compiling this information. I can’t wait to start contacting these groups. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this…”

- A Private Citizen

Frito Lay, a snack food manufacturer in Wooster (Wayne County) generated large quantities of wastewater and solid waste in the form of used process water, packaging, scrap metal and other items. Frito Lay has reduced natural gas usage by 4.9 percent, water usage by 25.8 percent, electricity usage by 13.9 percent and solid waste by 22 percent after implementing several process changes suggested by Ohio EPA. Frito Lay saves over $267,000 annually through these efforts. Ohio EPA offers these on-site assessments free of charge to help companies reduce waste and be more competitive.

Masco Builder Cabinet Group, a cabinet manufacturer in Jackson (Jackson County) generated large quantities of hazardous and solid waste in the form of used solvents, coatings, sawdust and industrial wastes. Masco saved over $1.5 million in 2007 and reduced annual emissions by more than 31 million pounds after implementing several process changes suggested by Ohio EPA. Ohio EPA offers these on-site assessments free of charge to help companies reduce waste and be more competitive.

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