Protecting the environment as well
as the bottom line
"The Clean Break program allows us to protect
both the environment and the bottom line by working in
cooperation rather than confrontation," Gov. Edgar
said. Scott-Ford owner Mark Scott and other Clean Break
clients in the Quad Cities area were presented
certificates by the governor and Director Gade, joined by
representatives of the printing and autobody industry and
the National Federation of Independent Businesses, strong
supporters of the Clean Break Initiative. The
certificates and window decals are displayed by Clean
Break clients to demonstrate their environmental ethic.
"We estimate about 100,000 small businesses in
Illinois are subject to environmental regulations and
cumulatively the waste they produce may have a
substantial impact on our environment, especially the
quality of our air," said Director Gade. "They
are run by good citizens who care about the environment
but may not know how to comply with these regulations and
have been afraid to ask." She cited letters of
endorsement and support from many Clean Break clients.
Bill Major of Litchfield Chrysler Center wrote
"It's been a refreshing change to work with the
state, hand in hand, so to speak...No fear, and no
feeling of pressure. A great feeling of goodwill."
DCCA Assistant Director Levi Moore cited the good
working relationship between his agency and Illinois EPA
and said DCCA is "proud to play a role in Clean
Break." He added, "we are working with the
Illinois EPA educating small businesses and helping them
comply with environmental regulations."
Clean Break offers businesses with up to 200 employees
a one-time opportunity to receive assistance in
identifying and complying with environmental rules and
ogligations. Amnesty does not extend to violations
discovered by illinois EPA through earlier routine
inspections, imminent threats to the public health or the
environment, or to violations classified as felonies.
Participants have the option to choose anonymity.
Small business owners are encouraged to contact the
new toll-free Illinois EPA Office of Small
Business helpline (1-888-EPA -1996), or they may
contact DCCA for information or anonymous contact with
the Agency. DCCA can be called toll-free at
1-800-252-3998. DCCA will also assist in arranging
additional Clean Break workshops through its small
business programs.
Pilot programs led to regulatory reforms
The state's experience with Clean Break has already
resulted in regulatory reforms, such as removing the
burden for many smaller firms of obtaining air permits,
through changed regulations on the size of boilers and
furnaces and some grinder operations.
Clean Break began in 1995 as a two-county pilot
project in the Rockford area.The first program of its
kind in the nation, it is now being used as a model by
other states seeking effective outreach to small business
to enhance the environment in reasonable and
cost-effective ways.
Types of small business that typically have
environmental obligations besides printers and auto
repair firms are manufacturers, dry cleaners,
photoprocessors, medical facilities, metal fabricators,
agricultural services and pest control firms.
Presentation Available
The Illinois EPA's Office of Small Business is
available to make presentations on Clean Break to trade
organizations and civic clubs and organizations. A new
15-minute video highlights the experiences of Clean Break
clients in their own words, and agency representatives
will provide brochures and answer questions.
"It made you feel pretty good without a lot
of risk."
As Ed Myers, owner of Northern Star Plating in
Rockford described his experience: "It sets a
person's mind at ease who wants to do the right thing. It
made you feel pretty good without a lot of risk."
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