U.S. Government Programs and Resources in
Support of Sustainable Business*
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Department of Commerce, National
Institute of Standards and Technology
Green Suppliers Network (GSN)
www.gsn.gov
The Green Suppliers Network (GSN) is a collaborative venture among industry, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. GSN works with large manufacturers to engage their small and medium-sized suppliers in low-cost technical reviews that focus on process improvement and waste minimization.
Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES)
http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/
This site hosts the BEES 4.0 software program designed to assist businesses in choosing cost-effective, environmentally preferable building products. This software can be downloaded for free at the above website.
Interagency Network of Enterprise Assistance Providers (INEAP)
http://www.ineap.nist.gov/ineap/home.ineap
INEAP represents a network of 100 members in 13 government agencies, which work together to provide assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises in various areas including sustainability. There are links to numerous programs from other government agencies including EPA and DOE.
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
http://www.mep.nist.gov/
With offices in every state, the MEP provides manufacturers with customized services on a range of topics with the goal of making U.S. industry more competitive. Services relating to sustainability include sector-specific “lean and clean manufacturing” technical assistance and environmental assessment services.
Environmental Protection Agency
For U.S. Industry
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/industry.html
The central site for EPA’s work with industry. It includes links to EPA-run technical assistance program sites, EPA’s Design for the Environment program, its Sector Strategies Program, and a link to the EPA partnerships site where businesses can search for partnership opportunities with EPA.
Environmental Stewardship
http://www.epa.gov/stewardship/
This site allows users to search for EPA programs for business that support efforts for environmental stewardship. Search results can be narrowed down by environmental issue, industry sector, type of information and geographic location.
Sustainability
http://www.epa.gov/sustainability
This site is divided into four key sections: Built Environment; Water, Ecosystems, and Agriculture; Energy and the Environment; and Materials and Toxics. There are, under each section, links to policies and programs, research tools and technologies, and assessments and performance measures.
SmartWay Transport Partnership
http://www.epa.gov/smartway
The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a collaboration between EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
Climate Leaders
http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders/
Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies. Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions based on a quality management system, setting aggressive reduction goals, and annually reporting their progress to EPA.
Green Power Partnershiphttp://www.epa.gov/greenpower/index.htm
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary Partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and organizations that are interested in reducing their carbon footprint through the purchase of ‘green power’. Through this program, the EPA supports organizations that are using or who are planning to use green power. Members range from local governments to Fortune 500 companies.
WaterSense
http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/tips/bus.htm
This site provides information for businesses on best ways to conserve water and information on EPA’s WaterSense program. Links to the EPA Portfolio Manager, which can help businesses monitor their energy and water usage, can also be found on this site.
Green Buildings
http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/
This site provides general information on green building with links to various EPA sites that support green building practices. Certain sections of this site are dedicated to green building for business.
EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
http://es.epa.gov/ncer/sbir/
Part of the government-wide SBIR program, EPA funds research and development projects in areas such as clean technology, pollution prevention, water treatment, innovative manufacturing practices and many others.
Business Opportunities
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/doingbusiness.htm
This site has a section for business and industry where companies can find information on government administered, sustainability-related technical assistance programs, public-private partnerships, small business resources, financial resources, government contracts and research tools.
Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
http://www.epeat.net/
EPEAT is a procurement tool to help large volume purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare, and select desktop computers, notebooks, and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also provides a clear and consistent set of performance criteria for the design of products and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market recognition for efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their products.
Small Business Gateway
http://www.epa.gov/smallbusiness/
This is the starting point for information on environmental management for small businesses. It includes information on financial resources available to SMEs in the area of environmental management as well as EPA technical assistance programs focused on regulatory compliance and cost savings.
Department of Energy
Industrial Technologies Program
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/index.html
DOE’s Industrial Technologies program works with U.S. industry to improve industrial energy efficiency and environmental performance. The program invests in high-risk, high-value R&D projects, conducts on-site energy efficiency assessments for U.S. companies, and disseminates best practices in the field of energy management.
DOE Small Business Innovation Research Program
http://www.science.doe.gov/sbir/
DOE’s SBIR program provides funding to small businesses for research and development on projects related to “clean” technology innovation.
Loan Guarantee Program
http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/index.html
DOE’s loan guarantee program provides loan guarantees for environmentally-friendly energy projects in areas such as solar, wind, and alternative fuels. The goal of the program is to encourage innovation and deployment of “clean” technologies.
Energy Savers
http://www.energysavers.gov/
The Energy Savers program is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help companies improve energy efficient business practices.
EERE Financial Opportunities
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/
This site provides information on financial assistance opportunities for businesses to increase their use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies.
Energy Star
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=industry.bus_industryEnergy Star is a joint program between EPA and DOE that aims to help consumers and businesses save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. The program develops energy management programs in conjunction with U.S. companies and helps them track their progress and cost savings over time.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Research Initiative
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1606
The National Research Initiative is a competitive grants program that provides research funding to organizations in areas such as water and air quality as well as bio-based product development.
USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/sbir.cfm
Provides research and development funding to small businesses in the area of alternative and renewable energy technology.
BioPreferred
http://www.biobased.oce.usda.gov/fb4p/Default.aspx
USDA’s BioPreferred site provides a resource for businesses seeking to purchase bio-based products or sell bio-based products to the public and/or private sectors. This site includes a list of USDA-approved bio-based products.
Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy
and Energy Efficiency Investments
Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)
http://www.dsireusa.org/
Run by the North Carolina State University NC Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is a user-friendly source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. It has a searchable database of state and federal programs that can be organized by state, industry sector, or incentive type.
Office of the Federal Environmental Executive -
White House Council on Environmental Quality
OFEE.gov
http://www.ofee.gov
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's listserv aims to foster communication in the sharing of ideas and successes of those individuals/groups/organizations interested in learning about and participating in the goals of the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive. OFEE concentrates on six core areas of focus, which include Waste Prevention and Recycling, Green Purchasing, Electronics Stewardship, Environmental Management Systems, Sustainable Buildings, and Green Jobs.