Protecting Public Health and Environment, Assisting Small Business: Denver Environmental Health s Small Business Assistance Programs Janet Burgesser, Denver Pollution Prevention Partners Matthew Marshall, Small Business Energy Program

Overview Denver Environmental Health s Small Business Assistance Programs Denver Pollution Prevention Partners How the Program Works Sector Specific Certifications Program Achievements Partnerships Small Business Energy Assistance Program Partnerships and Funding

Denver P2 Partners Why was the program started? Established in 2009 to improve environmental performance Voluntary, non-regulatory, confidential and FREE! Proactively engage g private businesses to evaluate environmental operations Recommend solutions to minimize discharges to air, land and water Minimize environmental liability Go Beyond Compliance Save money! Provide businesses with public recognition for exemplary environmental performance

How the Program Works Address the following environmental challenges Protecting the environment through regulatory compliance Air, land and water Natural Resource Depletion Worker Health and Safety Energy and Water Conservation Economic and Financial Need Social Responsibility

Sector Specific Certification Which Sectors Do We Target? Business sectors that want certification Business sectors with a direct relationship to the public Numbers of businesses Business sectors that have a large environmental impact Typical Business Small to medium sized Locally owned and operated Stakeholder Involvement Key!

Certification Elements Above and Beyond! Five main categories Business Management Energy Efficiency Water Conservation and Quality Resource Management Transportation Core and Elective Criteria Must re-certify every year and demonstrate continual improvement

Auto Repair Examples of Environmental Measures Category Business Management Energy Efficiency Water Conservation Resource Management Transportation Core Criteria Regulatory Compliance Inspect compressor air lines for leaks Stencil storm drains Use non-chlorinated brake cleaner Provide customers with transit information Elective Criteria Adopt a mission statement Replace or update compressors Develop formal spill prevention and response plan Use aqueous parts washers Develop green driving tips for customers

Restaurants October Launch Date Approached by Eat Greener Denver in December 2009 to continue restaurant sustainability efforts started during 2008 DNC Stakeholders include: Eat Greener Denver, LoDo restaurants, others Establish criteria to make them stand out

Restaurants Examples of Environmental Measures Category Core Criteria Elective Criteria Business Management Regulatory Compliance Organize a Green Team Energy Efficiency Water Conservation and Quality Resource Management Regular maintenance for refrigeration equipment Implement best management practices for pressure washing Implement an EPP where possible Turn off exhaust hoods when appliances are off Thaw food in refrigerator Implement a composting program Transportation Adopt an anti-idling idling policy Install bike racks

Program Accomplishments Auto Repair Certification Resource Sheets ASA Colorado Compliance Workshop Restaurants ReGrow LoDo Composting Initiative American Society of Safety Engineers-Overview of Air and Water Quality Regulations GreenFax Sustainability Collaboration

Partnerships Small Business Energy Program Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) Greenprint Denver Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment EPA Denver Water Denver Boulder Better Business Bureau Automotive Service Association of Colorado Eat Greener Denver

City and County of Denver Small Business Energy Program

Program elements Technical assistance (hand-holding) holding) Free energy assessments Contracting support Rebates up to $5,000 per business

Denver s GHG Emissions Cement 2% Fuel Processing 7% Air Travel 6% Transit 1% Food 10% Commercial / Industrial Bldgs 34% Commercial Trucks Trucks and 4% SUVs Residential 12% Cars Bldgs 7% 14% City Govt Bldgs 3%

Sidewok Café: 36 bulbs $500+/yr = $10,000 increase in sales 8,400lbs CO 2 /yr = $15K+ in home weatherization

Bridging the Gap

Map Geographic targeting

Program Process

Focus on Lighting g High energy use Easy, affordable retrofit Quick paybacks

Program Funding $175,000 Climate Showcase Community $165,000 GEO EECBG match $500,000 from EECBG ~$2 million EECBG-Competitive Competitive

Key Partner: Stimulus is one-time opportunity DSM budget is $76.3million for 2010 and 2011, 2012, 2013... $800,000,000+ 000 000+ total 2010-20 Denver is ~25% of their CO customers Local-Gov/Utility partnerships proven model

Long-term potential Hundreds of business interactions/projects i 2010-2012 2012 Hundreds d of relationships for ongoing improvement and future value

Summary Business Assistance Programs work in tandem to provide businesses with more sustainable practices Provide hands on consultation and assessments Free, non-regulatory Public recognition for exemplary sustainable practices