Small Business Enterprise - Summer edition

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Small Business Enterprise

News from the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program

In this issue


Local business partnership: Legacy Building Solutions expansion stays on schedule with MPCA help

Legacy aerial

Did you know? The MPCA offers free, personalized help to MN small businesses looking to understand what environmental rules apply to them?

We understand sometimes it’s just easier to talk to a person who can help walk you through what some feel is a complicated process.

Legacy Building Solutions, a 75 employee company near St. Cloud, MN, called the MPCA small business helpline about possible environmental requirements for a planned painting and abrasive blasting expansion to their facility before construction. Only a few questions later about planned products and equipment, pollutant capture and control devices, and current equipment use, the business’ responses indicated that they could qualify for a simplified air registration permit. Registration permits are for businesses that have low levels of actual air emissions and allows greater flexibility for future changes in a growing business.

Because Legacy Building Solutions called early on, MPCA staff were able to efficiently help them complete and submit their permit application, including calculating air emissions. Personalized tools were also set up to help them stay in compliance by timely monitoring and recording details required by the permit and an emissions calculator adjusted for their operations, to help with annual reporting.

Ellie Fox of Legacy Building Solutions believes that working directly with MPCA staffer Emily Ohde helped their permit process go ‘quickly and smoothly’, and was integral to keeping their construction project on schedule. Fox was ‘very thankful for the direct help with the permit application and for keeping her apprised about the permit process. She went on to praise Emily ‘as an asset to the MPCA small business program!’

Legacy Building Solutions realized the business benefits of calling early and actively working to comply with their environmental requirements.

All MN-based companies are required to identify their requirements and obtain an air permit prior to construction, if necessary. In planning, try to assess what potential activities and what the air emissions might be. If your business is already operating, you may need a permit. Feel free to call us for help with the assessment or to assist in identifying which rules may apply to you.  The MPCA small business helpline is confidential and free. Contact us at 800-657-3938 or 651-282-6143, smallbizhelp.pca@state.mn.us. Stay in touch on the MPCA Help for your small business page.


Coming soon! MPCA alternative landscaping equipment grants

electric chainsaw

Gasoline-powered landscaping equipment is a significant source of air emissions in urban areas, impacting the health of equipment operators and the populated communities they serve. The MPCA seeks to improve local air quality by funding replacement of summer or winter 2-cycle, gasoline-powered equipment with electric-powered landscaping equipment.

Over $174,000 in grants have already been provided to help organizations make the switch. The new equipment will reduce annual air emissions by approximately 185 tons of VOCs, 0.6 tons of nitrogen oxide, and 6.2 tons of fine particles.

Why companies like it - Buy less gas and reduce maintenance costs, lessen employee injuries, cut the noise and smell, and improve community health while eliminating air emissions.

Sign up now to be notified when these grants open later this summer. Apply on the Grants for alternative landscaping equipment grant page when they do!


Burnsville cuts energy use and GHG emissions while saving public dollars

GHG reductions Burnsville

The City of Burnsville has been engaged in community and governmental sustainability for over 14 years, marked notably by setting the same greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets as the Minnesota Next Generation Energy Act of 2007. As a GreenStep City since 2012, Burnsville is now only one of a few cities to track both city and government GHG emissions to achieve the program’s highest step. The City’s sustainability plan steers its comp plan, zoning code, ordinances/policies, and capital improvement program which invests millions in support of sustainability projects. .

Michael Orange, a community sustainability consultant with the MPCA-sponsored Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP), partnered with Burnsville to report their 2005 to 2017 GHG emissions reductions. Because of their success, the Office of Governor Mark Dayton took special interest in their improvements last year, which allowed a detailed analysis of costs, payback, energy use, and GHG emission reductions.

The potable water system is the largest energy consumer and source of GHG emissions for City operations. To reduce that footprint, the City decided to treat a surface water source from the nearby Kraemer Quarry, which was found to produce water cheaper than from underground wells. Facility and operational improvements just to the potable water system increased energy efficiency by 67% and reduced GHG emissions by 47%, accounting for 80% of all GHG emission reductions from city operations.

The nearly $19 million invested in 28 major improvements enabled the City to nearly meet its 2025 GHG emissions reduction goal of 30% in 2017 - eight years ahead of schedule (see graph - total reductions for city operations).

As an added benefit,19% of total water production is now available to sell to nearby communities, a new source of income for the City. Energy efficiency upgrades saved $4.3 million. They will continue to save about $500,000/year, an 8-year payback (with building costs, puts payback higher at 29 years). As electricity costs grow, they will realize even more, noting electricity costs increased 31% since 2005.

Burnsville’s success demonstrates how communities can make an environmental impact while saving millions in public dollars.

Burnsville Water treatment plant

Looking for efficiency? Get a RETAP audit to uncover hidden savings at your facility

The Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) provides free, personalized energy efficiency and waste reduction assessments for:

  • small businesses
  • institutions
  • organizations
  • local government

Experienced retired professionals conduct facility audits and analyze utility bills in order to provide a personalized and prioritized list of recommendations, including estimated financial and environmental savings along with available funding resources.

Recommendations can include simple behavior changes, maintenance improvements, or retrofits. While there is no obligation to act, a high percentage do. Surveyed clients report average cost savings from implemented recommendations at over $3,000. RETAP has helped over 500 clients – including printers, manufacturers, wood working, and local govt buildings . Request a free assessment today!


MPCA regulatory updates - Industrial stormwater, air permits, hazardous waste training

New industrial stormwater general permit 

The new Industrial Stormwater General NPDES/SDS permit for 2020-2025 is now on the MPCA website. Please review it and update your stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) to comply with the new general permit prior to applying for coverage. 

Please note: Applicants do not need to submit a copy of the updated SWPPP to the MPCA with their permit application.

The MPCA is not accepting paper applications for the 2020 permit. Those seeking coverage under the 2020 permit will apply online. If you seek coverage for the current 2015-2020 permit, a paper application may be requested via email. Those currently or seeking certification as a No Exposure facility for the 2020 permit, you will also apply online.

You will be notified when the permit application period is open and the online permit application service is available, you may then apply for the 2020 permit.

Void my permit? New rule changes for small sources of air emissions

Under new rules, certain air permit holders may now be able to void their permit.

Insignificant facilities

Those using less than 1,000 gallons of VOC-containing materials in a calendar year and who have air emissions from other processes (e.g. mechanical finishing/equipment, boilers, gasoline storage tanks, welding tools), may qualify as an insignificant facility and no longer be required to hold an air permit. Use the insignificant facility calculator to help determine if you qualify. Existing air permit holders who qualify need to submit a Notice of Permit Termination using e-services. Be sure to keep records that show how your site meets insignificant facility requirements (Hint: the completed calculator would do this).

In certain cases, those using more than 1,000 gallons may still qualify. You may want to calculate actual emissions to determine if you emit less than 10,000 lbs VOCs. Businesses using water-based or low-VOC/low-HAP coatings and cleaners may greatly exceed the gallon limit but have low overall emissions and qualify as an insignificant facility or conditionally exempt facility. 

Conditionally exempt facilities

You may still be able to void your permit if you are a conditionally exempt source primarily engaged in:

  • Auto-body refinishing
  • Coating
  • Woodworking

These conditionally exempt sources use less than 2,000 gallons of VOC-containing materials each year or they limit annual emissions to 20,000 lbs of VOCs and 12,000 lbs of HAPs. Proof of compliance is also needed, though it’s often information most facilities already have. Those that qualify must void their permit online by submitting a Notice of Permit Termination using e-services and must notify the MPCA that they fall into one of these three categories.

Note: All facilities that void their air permit must still comply with all other applicable state or federal air rules (NESHAP or NSPS).

For all facilities interested in determining if they qualify and for directions on voiding permits online, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/small. If you have questions, contact the small business helpline at 1-800-657-3938 or 651-282-6143, smallbizhelp.pca@state.mn.us.

MPCA hazardous waste compliance training

There is a new online training for hazardous waste (HW) management and compliance with Minnesota rules. It is introductory overview designed for newcomers to managing HW or who need a refresher. The 10 Steps to HW Compliance training is free, and available to businesses generating HW, permitted facilities, consultants, and local units of government. It covers waste evaluation and licensing, and requirements for handling, storing, transporting, emergency planning, employee training, and recordkeeping for regulated hazardous waste.

There is one upcoming classroom training at the MPCA Rochester office September 10, 2019 from 12:30pm-4:30pm. Registration and a $25 fee is required.

The MPCA has a broad list of HW management and compliance fact sheets online, including the 10 Steps to HW compliance training.