BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES FEEL CLEAN AIR LAW JOLT; CHAMBER FEARS FULL IMPACT NOT YET SEEN

There's no equivocation in the view of Robert Hendrix about the latest clean air legislation.

"I'm against it," says Hendrix, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

"When I start hollering about the latest legislation it does not mean that I disagree with the concept. I just question whether it is really economical feasible to take that last one-and-a-half percent of contaminants out of the air."

Hendrix explains further:

"We have taken 98.5 percent of contaminants out of the air since 1970," he said. "Now, the government wants to take that other 1.5 percent out with little regard of what it is going to cost businesses and consumers."

Hendrix said the new requirements will affect almost every business.

"This creates a problem for us," said Hendrix. "That problem is how to let the smaller businesses know what is at stake."

Tony Reinhart, vice president of government affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, explains what can be at stake.

"The new regulation has expanded the list of regulated toxic pollutants from 7 to 189," said Reinhart. "This means that almost every business should take a look at its operation."

Reinhart added that many small businesses will fall under the new rules starting in November 1993.

"The penalties for violations can be costly," said Reinhart. "The Missouri Air Law established civil and criminal penalties of up to $10,000 per day for each violation of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources rules."

Reinhart added, however, that the new law also includes creation of a small business technical assistance program and the creation of a small business ombudsman's office.

"These small business programs are designed to encourage voluntary compliance with the requirements of the law and to mitigate the economic impacts of the new requirements," he said.

The major requirements of the new law include:

New procedures for submittal and review of permit applications.

Renewable operating permits.

Annual emission inventory reporting requirements.

Annual fees based on emissions.

Creation of a unified permit review procedure.

Authority for the Department to issue cease and desist orders.

"Our big concern now is that small businesses understand the new regulations," said Hendrix. "We recently set up a four-hour clean air, seminar. There was little interest. We had to cancel."

Hendrix said the large companies Procter & Gamble, Lone Star Industries, Union Electric and Noranda know what the complex regulations are.

"But, we need to get the word out to the smaller businesses," said Hendrix. "This can affect service stations, cleaning establishments, printing companies, appliance dealers, paint and body shops, and many others.

"They need to know and understand the impact of this law, and what they have to do to meet the new regulations," added Hendrix. "We'll be contacting each chamber member concerning the regulations, but they need to hear it from (state DNR) representatives."

Hendrix said the chamber would attempt to set up additional seminars.

"These seminars are costly, and it takes about a half day to present all of the answers," said Hendrix. "But, they cover everything, from emission fees and operation permits to penalties, and programs offered by the Missouri Small Business Technical Assistance."

"We're in the midst of the dangerous part now, the interpretations of the bill," added Hendrix. "Businesses will have to assess its potential impact and how to prepare for the regulatory changes."

The new regulations have already had effects on some Cape Girardeau businesses, increasing typical refrigeration repair bills.

"I had some refrigeration repairs recently," said Hendrix. "It cost me almost double what it would have cost a year ago."

The new "Clean Air Act" requires that refrigerant gases those used in everything from household and commercial refrigerators and coolers to automobile air conditioners be captured and recycled rather than released into the atmosphere.

"The costs of purchasing reclaiming devises, in addition to increased labor required to find even a slow leak, are passed on to consumers," said Hendrix.

By the end of the year, refrigerant for air conditioner repairs won't even be available to anyone other than licensed contractors and mechanics. Refrigerants like Freon or R-12 contain chemicals known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and are believed to damage the Earth's ozone layer, which blocks the sun's harmful effects.