By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com Reporter
MOUNT VERNON — Joy Padget of the Office of Outreach and Customer Support with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency spoke to the county commissioners on Monday about programs offered by the EPA. Noting that most people are aware of the regulatory side of the EPA, Padget said she wanted to acquaint the commissioners with what she called the warm, fuzzy side of the EPA.
Padget explained that when Craig Butler took the position as director of the OEPA in 2014, he noted that there was no planned customer outreach program. He reorganized the Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, adding the Office of Outreach and Customer Support (OCS) to the long-standing Office of Financial Assistance (OFA) and the Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP).
The OCS is the informational and educational side of the EPA. Padget’s role is to connect constituents with resources who can answer the constituents’ questions. “People want a one-to-one relationship with someone they can call,” she said.
On the financial side, OFA continues to offer two revolving low-interest loan programs for water and wastewater projects. The loans can be taken out for up to 30 years; some have a principle forgiveness clause for low-income communities. Recycling grants are also available through OFA.
OCAPP focuses 100 percent on businesses. Padget said that in addition to offering free help and advice, OCAPP keeps the information shared confidential, which allows business owners to talk freely about issues or problems they are facing. OCAPP also helps businesses such as auto body and furniture shops obtain required air permits.
Padget also shared information about the EPA’s onsite pollution prevention assistance program, asbestos requirements and the Encouraging Environmental Excellence Program, an award that encourages environmental stewardship.
“It’s great to know there’s another side to the EPA other than the regulatory side,” said Commissioner Thom Collier.