The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) provides free assistance to all new and existing small businesses in Delaware through the Small Business Ombudsman and the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program. They help businesses understand the requirements of Delaware’s environmental programs and help find ways to comply with them in the easiest and most effective ways.

The Small Business Ombudsman

The Small Business Ombudsman position was created through the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The ombudsman provides assistance to small businesses to meet environmental regulatory requirements and oversees the DNREC Regulatory Advisory Service.

The ombudsman helps keep an up-to-date list of environmental permit requirements, by business type, on the Delaware Business First Steps website.

The ombudsman can provide input at the legislative level concerning environmental legislation and how it will affect small business in Delaware.

The ombudsman can help resolve permitting and compliance disputes and cut red tape.

The ombudsman provides feedback to the Division of Air Quality from small businesses and helps the Division with training opportunities for the regulated community.

The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program

The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) can serve as a business’s initial contact with DNREC. It can answer questions or refer businesses to the right people, within DNREC, to answer questions through the Regulatory Advisory Service.

The program can provide information tailored to different industries and practices, detailing how best to comply with environmental regulations.

The program staff can help with filling out permit applications, forms, and other required paperwork.

The program can provide an environmental assessment of a facility and give details on compliance issues in private.

Delaware’s program is part of a national network, www.nationalsbeap.org, working to help small businesses comply with air quality regulations.

Related Topics:  assistance, business, community services, regulations