Small Business Enterprise - Funding and Events

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Small Business Enterprise

News from the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program

In this issue

  • Green funding - Minneapolis grants for greening up auto maintenance
  • Rule watch - Revised federal boiler and stationary engines standards

Minneapolis grants for greening up auto maintenance - due June 7th

The automotive vehicle repair, service, and maintenance sector is a great place to apply a win-win-win approach for our businesses, our communities, and our environment. The City of Minneapolis is offering grants up to $10,000 (no minimum request) for businesses willing to invest in cleaner, greener, or more efficient technologies. The grant fund matches the investment of these businesses that move to painting and cleaning alternatives in repair and collision repair processes that reduce emissions, hazardous waste, or energy usage. There are many commonly used alternatives that already exist in the market place. Several qualifying alternatives include:

  • Aqueous-based paint systems
  • High velocity low pressure (HVLP) spray gun(s)
  • Spray gun cleaning equipment
  • Alternative spray gun cleaning chemicals
  • Petroleum solvent recycling equipment
  • Aqueous parts washer equipment (manual or cabinet-style automatic)
  • Alternative parts washer cleaning chemistries

For more information on alternatives contact Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MNTAP) via website http://www.mntap.umn.edu/vehicle/index.htm or call 612.624.4694

To apply for a grant, request an application from EnvServicesInfo@minneapolismn.gov.

Applications can be also be found on the city web site at Grant Application for Vehicle repair, service and maintenance

Proposals are due by 4 p.m., June 7th, 2013. Winners will be announced June 30th, 2013 and projects must be completed before September 20th, 2013.


Rule watch

Revised federal boiler standard - webinars available

Lots of businesses have boilers.  Only some will be impacted by the federal boiler standard.  If your boiler runs on natural gas only and is located at a non-major source of air emissions this standard does not apply.  If your boiler runs on fuel other than natural gas consider tuning into one of these webinars sponsored by EPA Region 1.  

The first webinar is intended for energy assessors who will conduct the energy assessments required of all existing industrial, institutional or commercial boilers (oil, biomass or coal fired)  with heat input rating of >10 MMBtu/hr, except limited use boilers.   

Webinar for Energy Assessors:   Understanding EPA’s Area Source Boiler Rule - Energy Assessment Requirements

You can register using the following link.

Wed, Jun 5, 2013 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

The next two webinars, on June 25th and 27th, are intended for the regulated community.  These webinars will focus on the regulatory compliance requirements and include a Q&A session with participation from EPA HQ.

Webinar for the Regulated Community: Understanding EPA’s Area Source Boiler Rule – Requirements and Timelines

Click on the link to register for your preferred date: 

Tue, Jun 25, 2013 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT or Thu, Jun 27, 2013 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

Please also note, as a convenience for the regulated community, EPA Region 1 is compiling a list of qualified energy assessors (QEAs), as defined by the rule, and publishing the list to the boiler compliance webpage. EPA intends to add the contact information of interested parties who self-determine they meet the definition of a QEA. Inclusion on the list does not imply any endorsement by EPA, its employees, or the United States government. 

Revised federal boiler standard

This past Spring, EPA revised federal air quality requirements for stationary engines, including emergency generators.  For more information about these requirements and for a factsheet describing steps you can take to help reduce emissions from these units, go to www.pca.state.mn.us/engines.