Environmental Technology

Californians have worked toward cleaner air, water, and land for many years. Our early environmental leadership has spawned more environmental technology companies than any other state in the nation.

Today, more than 180,000 Californians are employed by companiesannually producing $25 billion worth of pollution control, wasteminimization, pollution prevention, and related environmental equipmentand services. Despite these advances, a seemingly haphazard patchwork ofregulatory laws, jurisdictions, and procedures frustrates the developmentand commercialization of new and better environmental goods andtechnologies.

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) is at theforefront in creating new tools, new partnerships, and new ways to foster the development of environmentaltechnologies. Recognizing technology’s key role, CalEPA’s initiativesnurture the development, acceptance, and use of equipment, processes, andsystems critical to improved environmental performance, in California andthroughout the world.

Environmental Technology Certification Programs and Information

California Environmental Technology Certification Program

Internationally Recognized Certification for Environmental Technologies that prevent, treat or clean up pollution in the air, water, or land.

From 1994 to 2002, the California Environmental Technology Certification Program (CalCert) was an independent, recognized scientific and engineering evaluation of environmental performance. Technology manufacturers and developers defined their performance claims and submitted supporting data to CalEPA. Staff reviewed the information, and when necessary, required additional testing to verify claims. The technologies, equipment, and products that are were proven received certification verifying their performance claims. The program was voluntary and self-supporting, which meant participating companies paid the cost of evaluating and certifying claims.

CalCert recognition gave products, processes, and equipment greater visibility in the market and offered credibility to those technologies proven to have an environmental benefit.

Due to the current budget shortfall for the State of California, and associated budget uncertainty, CalEPA is not accepting any new applications into the Environmental Technology Certification Program.

Resources

The resource center offers a variety of tools to assist manufacturers and technology users do business. In this section you will find information on grants and other funding, business assistance, technology transfer tools, export services, testing and demonstration site options, permits, searchable data bases and more.

Business Assistance Programs

California Dairy Quality Assurance Program
This program assists dairy producers with navigating and complying with the rules and regulations governing the industry.

Inc.com
This is a private company that provides information for small business owners.

U.S. Small Business Administration
This is a web site dedicated to help small businesses with advice and funding opportunities.

Technology Transfer

National Technology Transfer Center
This is a program that provides technology transfer support via several different areas, including access to $70 billion in R&D.

Small Business Assistance Program’s Technology Transfer Network This network provides assistance to small environmental businesses.

Export Assistance

California Commerce Economic Development Program
This program assists California companies in exporting their technologies, goods and services to international markets.

United Nations’ Environmental Program
This program provides information about exporting.

U.S. Department of CommerceInternational Trade Administration Manufacturing and Services
The mission of this program is to help U.S. business succeed, globally.

Permits

CalGold is designed to assist businesses in providing information on what permits to get.

Miscellaneous Sites

Environmental Technology Council

This is a trade association that was formed in 1982 and has a strong emphasis on hazardous waste technologies.

State of California’s Department of Health Services
This site provides information on the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program and list of over 800 state and national labs.

CalEPA Partners

Searchable Databases

GeoTracker
GeoTracker is a geographic information system that provides online access to environmental data. GeoTracker is the interface to the Geographic Environmental Information Management System, a data warehouse which tracks regulatory data about underground fuel tanks, fuel pipelines, and public drinking water supplies.

Best Available Control Technology Database
This website is maintained by the California Air Resources Board and includes a searchable database for California BACT and “lowest achievable emission rate” (LAER) determinations dating back to 1985.

Funding Opportunities

There are programs offered by the State and Federal governments, as well as private entities that offer grants, low interest loans, and loan guarantee programs to environmental technology companies.


Provided by the State of California

California Air Resources Board, Innovative Clean Air Technologies (ICAT) Program
Grant program to assist in developing and demonstrating technologies that reduce air pollution.

CalRecycle, Financial Assistance
This is a listing of all the grants and loans provided by the CalRecycle for technologies related to solid waste.

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Pest Management Grants
DPR provides funding for demonstration and applied research projects that offer promising reduced-risk alternatives to conventional pest management practices.

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Funding Assistance Programs
This is a link to the list of grants and loans the SWRCB offers.

Energy Innovations Small Grants Program, California Energy Commission
This program provides up to $75,000 per grant to those who are developing innovative energy concepts.

California Energy Commission, Funding Programs
This is a list of the funding programs offered by the CEC. Also available at this site is an automated notification feature to alert potential applicants to new funding opportunities.

California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority
This is a State Treasurer’s Office program that assists with the financing and development of new energy sources and advanced transportation technologies.

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Provided by the Federal Government

US EPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Solicitations
EPA’s SBIR program provides financial support to help small science- and technology-based firms develop new environmental technologies and ready them for commercialization.

DOE’s Inventions and Innovation
For individuals or small businesses, developing an energy-saving invention can be difficult. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Inventions and Innovation (I&I) offers financial and technical support to inventors and businesses for promising energy-saving concepts and technologies.

DOE’s Financial Assistance
Financial assistance information available via this site.

U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Innovation Research Program
This link provides an explanation of the SBIR funding program.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Business Programs
This lists grant and loan programs offered. In 2003, over $1.1 billion in loans and grants were awarded.

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Misc. Funding Opportunities for Environmental Technologies

America’s Business Funding Directory
This is a searchable website to help businesses find the funding they need.