Compliance Assistance

How Can My Business Stay in Compliance?

As a registered source, there are things a business must do to stay in compliance with air pollution regulations. These are activities required by law, through local, state and federal rules and regulations developed to protect the public from negative air quality impacts as a result of conducting business.  Below are links to information to help you come into compliance.

• On-site Inspections
• Info Sheets, Guidebooks, Posters
• Compliance Update newsletters
• Workshops and Presentations
• Forms
  
  
• Pollution Prevention A new program free to most registered facilities!
• Business Recognition
• Compliance & Engineering Staff Directory
• Website Resource Links 

Go Beyond Compliance

Once a business has reached compliance, it's time to take a look at actions businesses can take to go beyond compliance requirements. By doing so, a business may benefit from reduced manufacturing costs, improved energy efficiency, reduced or simplified paperwork, reduced employee absences due to illness, and/or reduced emissions. Resulting benefits vary by business and type and degree of change.

Some examples of going beyond compliance might include:

• Pollution Prevention – in some cases, implementing "source reduction" and other practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants allow a business to get below certain emission-reporting thresholds, resulting in reduced registration fees.
• Material Substitution – using materials that produce fewer or no hazardous air pollutants or volatile organic compounds, but still result in the same or an improved product, may save a company material costs and/or reduce the administrative burden that comes with compliance.
• Manufacturing Method Changes – advancements in manufacturing techniques can often reduce the pollution produced through production process improvements and improved manufacturing efficiency.
• Combustion Efficiency Improvements – making equipment operate more efficiently can reduce energy consumption and reduce emissions.

Click here for more information about pollution prevention and how you can save time, money and reduce air pollution.

Other Activities
The activities listed below are separate from compliance-related activities but could have similar cost and emission-reduction benefits for businesses:

• Idling Reduction - Idling = Zero Miles Per Gallon.  Businesses throughout the state are helping keep Washington's air clean by making it their business to be idle free.  Make it a workplace policy to not idle.  Here's how:
  
  • Post “No-Idle Zone” signs near loading bays and other places where idling occurs. Spokane Clean Air can provide you signs.
  • Implement a "No Idle" policy for fleet vehicles. 
  • Distribute this fact sheet to employees and encourage them not to idle their personal vehicles.

• Commute Trip Reduction - Vehicles are the single largest source of air pollution in our region, emitting carbon monoxide, volatile organic componds and other toxics into the air.  Promote commute trip alternatives at your worksite. There are many benefits, including increase in employee productivity, morale and a decline in absenteeism and tardiness. Contact Spokane County's Commute Trip Reduction office and sign up today!
  
  
• Energy Efficiency -  Using less energy more efficiently is an easy way to curb greenhouse gas emissions – and save you money.  Weatherizing your facility can lower your energy bill. Switching light fixtures to compact fluorescent lights, purchasing Energy Star-rated appliances, and adjusting your heating and cooling habits are additional ways you can use energy more efficiently.  Your local utility offers tips on how you can make your business more energy efficient.