Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) provides free, confidential assistance to Tennessee's small businesses to help them understand and comply with environmental regulations. Please watch the introductory video or look through the tabs to understand how the SBEAP defines a small business, why you should use us if you need help, and how we operate to help small businesses.
Contact us if you need assistance
Hotline: 800-734-3619
Email: BGSBEAP@tn.gov
How can we better serve you?
Take a brief survey to let us know!
We are here to help!
Businesses assisted in 2024
237
Different types of businesses
88
How did we assist businesses in 2024?
See the SBEAP Annual Report!
A business meets the SBEAP's definition of a small business if it has:
- 100 or fewer employees,
- is not a major emitter of air pollution, and
- is not a large quantity hazardous waste generator.
At no cost to the small business, SBEAP staff may assist in:
- Developing compliance and regulatory outreach and educational materials.
- Identifying necessary permit applications.
- Filling out permit applications.
The SBEAP provides assistance that is:
- Non-regulatory. SBEAP does not enforce regulations nor report clients that ask for assistance.
- Confidential. Staff serve as liaisons between TDEC’s regulatory divisions and small businesses. Any details provided to a regulatory division is only done with consent from the small business.
- Department-wide. Staff assist with any environmental questions regardless of regulatory division.
Small Business Resources
Resources for Farmers and Agribusiness: Hemp and CBD Oil, Sawmills and Lumber, and other Assistance group resources.
Information on Permit by Rule for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities and Emergency Engines.
Gasoline Dispensing Facilities (GDFs) are primarily affected by environmental rules from Air Pollution Control (APC) and Underground Storage Tanks (UST).
Paints and Allied Products Manufacturing (7C), Surface Coating and Paint Stripping (6H)
Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure Plan and Storm Water Runoff Management
Aluminum, Copper, and other Nonferrous Foundries (6Z); Chromium Electroplating (N); Ferroalloy Production Facilities (6Y); Nine Metal Fabrication and Finishing (6X); Plating and Polishing (6W)
Chemicals Manufacturing (6V), Hot Mix Asphalt Producers (7A), Ready Mix Concrete, and Reinforced Plastic Composites (4V and 4W)
Additional Resources for both Environmental and non-Environmental issues, Hazardous Air Pollutant list, Self-Disclosure, EPCRA, and Energy Conservation resources.
Rules relating to Ethylene Oxide Sterilizers
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Want to know who the SBEAP team members are?
If it is hard for you to read, speak, or understand English, please see our Language Assistance webpage for more information about our free language assistance services.