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Highlights
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO), Office of Small Business Programs, under the Office of the Administrator, serves as a conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency.
Contact:
Joan B. Rogers
EPA Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Mail Code: 1230T
Phone: 202-564-6568
Mainline: 202-566-2075
Hotline: 1-800-368-5888 and 202-566-1970 (DC area)
Fax: 202-566-1505
ASBO Team
Mission
Functions
Specific Services
ASBO Team
| Name | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Joan B. Rogers, ASBO | 202-564-6568 | |
| Angela Suber | 202-566-2827 | |
| Paula Zampieri | 202-566-2496 | |
| Lillian Harris | 202-566-1979 | |
| Tom Nakley | 202-566-2826 | |
| Treva Alston | 202-566-1594 | |
| Harriett Edwards | 202-566-1517 | SEE Enrollee |
| Michael Sharp | 202-566-1610 | SEE Enrollee |
EPA Asbestos & Small Business Ombudsman
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Mail Code: 1230T
Mainline: 202-566-2075
Hotline: 1-800-368-5888 / 202-566-1970 (DC area)
Fax: 202-566-1505
Mission
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO) is to support the environmental and compliance performance of small businesses while reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses, including the cost of compliance and the adverse impact on business operations through representation and collaboration.
Functions
The ASBO Team advocates for small business issues, partners with state Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs), small business trade associations, EPA headquarters and regional offices, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal agencies to reach out to the small business community. These partnerships provide the information and perspective EPA needs to help small businesses achieve their environmental performance goals. This is a comprehensive program that provides networks, resources, tools, and forums for education and advocacy on behalf of small businesses across the country.
Specific Services
Liaison between EPA and the small business community
- Serves as liaison between small businesses and the EPA to facilitate dispute resolution;
- Hosts small business trade association meetings with the EPA Deputy Administrator and senior management;
- Is the Agency's Point of Contact for the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act (SBPRA) of 2002; and
- Takes the lead on behalf of the Administrator in responding to citizen's complaints under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (PDF) (79 pp, 8.4MB, about PDF).
Advocate for small business during the EPA rulemaking process
- Increases EPA personnel’s understanding of small business concerns and impacts in the development and enforcement of environmental rules and regulations;
- Represents small business views during EPA regulatory activities; and
- Tracks the development and implementation of regulations affecting small business in support of the Regulatory Flexibility Act as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.
Provide technical assistance to small businesses
- Answers technical and regulatory questions on a toll free hotline;
- Maintains and distributes EPA publications;
- Develops compliance assistance tools; and
- Gives direct access to technical assistance through the Small Business Environmental Home Page.
Support national network of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs)
- Acts as the focal point and provides multi-level support and coordination for an extensive national network of SBEAPs;
- Supports annual national conference; and
- Provides support for network through the Small Business Environmental Home Page and associated activities.