DEP's Office of the Small Business Ombudsman advocates for small businesses (those with 100 or fewer employees) on issues concerning pollution prevention, environmental regulations or complaints about the department. The Ombudsman reports directly to the governor and the U.S. EPA regarding the performance of the Small Business Assistance Program and is a confidential resource for resolving disputes between DEP and the business community. Recognizing that small businesses can most effectively be assisted if all DEP programs are responsive to their needs, the Ombudsman's priority is to work proactively within DEP to ensure that every program and all policies, procedures and publications are accessible and responsive to small business concerns.

Last year, the Ombudsman traveled throughout the state providing pollution prevention and compliance assistance information to chambers of commerce, trade associations and individual businesses. The office reviewed proposed regulations to determine their impact on small business and served on the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, advising DEP on related issues and the Clean Air Act. The Ombudsman's office updated its website with industry-specific environmental information and grants available from DEP and other state agencies for pollution prevention and compliance assistance projects.

To this end, a major initiative from the Ombudsman last year was the expansion of the successful AIRHELP program to include pollution prevention technical assistance in other media areas. AIRHELP provides cost free compliance assistance to help small business owners understand and cost-effectively comply with state and federal air and solid waste regulations. The toll-free, confidential AIRHELP hotline offers a personalized air pollution consulting service from environmental professionals, equipped to answer questions about state and federal air pollution regulations, and offer pollution prevention options and regulatory information.

The AIRHELP program publishes the AIRHELP News quarterly. AIRHELP News is a valuable device to explain the many changes in air regulations at both the state and federal level. In addition, AIRHELP Resource Centers are located in 28 public libraries throughout Pennsylvania and stock AIRHELP compliance guides on specific industry sectors such as wood furniture coating, automotive refinishing, bakeries, degreasing and a guide to estimate air emissions. Throughout 1997, AIRHELP held 11 seminars and trade shows, mailed out 13,000 brochures, manuals, newsletters and information packets and provided help to over 1,000 individuals through its hotline.