| Grant & Contract Programs | Low Interest Loans & Loan Guarantees |

Grant & Contract Programs State Water Resources Control Board

Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Funds
Provides grants to fuel leak site owners/tank operators for reimbursement and/or prepayment of site investigation and cleanup costs incurred after January 1, 1988. Owners/operators in compliance with cleanup orders are eligible on a "first come, first served" basis in the following priority: (1) residential property; (2) small business; (3) businesses with less than 500 employees; and (4) all other claims.

• Amount Available: Up to $990,000/site (after owner/operator pays first $10,000/site)
• Applications: Available on a continuous basis

For more information, contact:
State Water Resources Control Board
UST Cleanup Funds, Room 130
P.O. Box 944212
Sacramento, CA 94244-2120
(916) 227-4307 to request an application
(916) 227-4388 for Anna Cervin/assistance

Cal/EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control

Hazardous Waste Reduction Grant Program
Promotes the development of innovative hazardous waste reduction, recycling, or treatment projects and technologies. Grants are provided to individuals, companies, universities, government agencies, and private organizations. Proposals offering the greatest opportunity to significantly reduce the generation of hazardous waste are selected.

Grants are available in four phases:

• Step I - Feasibility Studies
• Step II- Project Design
• Step III- Construction
• Step IV- Evaluation

- Total Amount Available: Subject to funds available
- Solicitation Period: Subject to funds available

For more information, contact:
Cal/EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control
Pollution Prevention, Public & Regulatory Assistance
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, CA 95812-0806
(916) 322-3670

US Environmental Protection Agency

Small Business Innovation Research Program
Provides research and development contracts to small businesses to sponsor and promote highly innovative pollution control and prevention projects.

Contracts are available in two phases:

• Phase I - Six Month Feasibility Study
  • Amount: up to $55,000
  • Solicitation: October - January
  • Awards given annually in July
  • Send for a solicitation packet in September
• Phase II - Development, 1 or 2 years duration
  • Amount: up to $165,000
  • Open only to completed Phase I Projects

To request a SBIR solicitation packet, write or fax:
George Rouse (MD-33)
Contracts Management Division
US Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Fax: (919) 541-0611
For more information, contact:
Donald Carey
SBIR Program Manager
(202) 260-7899

Call (202) 205-7777 to be placed on the SBIR "pre-solicitation" announcement mailing list (provides preliminary information on upcoming solicitations by 11 participating SBIR agencies).

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| Grant & Contract Programs | Low Interest Loans & Loan Guarantees |

Low Interest Loans & Loan Guarantees California Pollution Control Financing Authority

Offers low-interest loans and loan guarantees to finance pollution control and waste disposal equipment. Several small business assistance programs are available for a variety of projects including air, water, and solid waste pollution control projects.

• Minimum Loan Amount: Varies with program
• Applications: Accepted year round

For more information, contact:
Nathan Brostrom, Director
P.O. Box 942809
Sacramento, CA 94209-0001
(916) 654-5610

California Energy Commission

Provides low interest loans and technical assistance to qualified small businesses to use or demonstrate alternative energy technologies (purchase, install, and monitor energy-saving hardware). Up to 100% of project can be financed. Technologies users will receive an energy audit at no cost.

• Minimum Loan: $5,000
• Collateral: All loans must be fully secured by applicant
• Applications: Accepted year round

For more information, contact:
Philip Misener
Small Business Energy Loan Program
California Energy Commission
Research and Development Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS-43
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 654-4552

US Small Business Administration

Provides loan guarantees for a variety of business purposes, including financing of the planning, design, or installation of pollution control equipment. Loans are made by private lenders; SBA guarantees a percentage of the loan.

• Maximum Guarantee: $750,000
• Minimum Guarantee: No minimum, but few lenders will consider loans below $25,000

Requirements:

• Qualified small business operated for profit
• Demonstrate ability to repay the loan
• Capital contribution is typically 1/3 of total project cost

For more information or list of participating lenders, contact:
U.S. Small Business Administration
San Francisco District Office
211 Main Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-1988
(415) 744-6820

California Department of Commerce
Office of Small Business

Administers three low interest loan programs designed to help small businesses reduce negative environmental impacts. Loans are made available through regional small business development corporations.

California Loans for Environmental Assistance Now (CLEAN) Program
Loans to help small businesses reduce air emissions, effluents, wastes, and other regulated by-products (also ask if the "Hazardous Waste Reduction Loan Program" is still in effect). Loans can be used to cover 100% of project costs, including assessment services, design, equipment acquisition, and implementation.

• Loan Amounts Available: $10,000 to $750,000
• Applications: Accepted year round
• The California Pollution Control Financing Authority makes all final determinations on loan approval

Underground Storage Tank Loan Program
Loans to help small businesses repair, replace, remove, or upgrade underground storage tanks to meet applicable local, state and/or federal standards. Also available for clean-up of sites contaminated by leaking underground storage tanks. Covers up to 90% of costs.

• Loan Amounts Available: $10,000 to $350,000
• Applications: Accepted year round

Energy Conservation Loan Program
Loans for measures which conserve, produce, or control energy use in new or existing facilities (e.g. lighting changes, weatherization, HVAC system upgrades, alternative energy systems, cogeneration projects.)

• Loan Amount: Up to $150,000
• Applications: Accepted year round

For more information on these three programs and applications, contact the nearest regional office:

Bay Area Small Business Development Corporation
3932 Harrison Street
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 652-5262

California Coastal Small Business
Development Corporation
Five East Gabilan Street, Suite 218
Salinas, CA 93902
(408) 424-1099