![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT), Version 4.0
ERT Data Submittals using CDX/CEDRI - January 1, 2012
The Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI) is now available. Instructions for registering and accessing CEDRI are available in the CEDRI CDX User Guide (PDF, 81pp 4M). CDX (Central Data Exchange) support is available Monday through Friday (except on holidays) from 8:00am to 6:00pm (ET). The phone number is 888-890-1995.
EPA now requires by regulation a number of industries to perform emissions performance tests and to electronically submit such emissions test data to EPA. Please see the list of Promulgated Regulations with Electronic Data Reporting Requirements.
The Central Data Exchange (http://cdx.epa.gov/epa_home.asp) is the point of entry of emissions performance data reports to EPA. It provides capabilities for submitters to submit and access their data electronically and enables OAR to effectively manage the incoming data.
Affected industrial facilities are required to use the Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) to generate files containing emissions source test data. The facilities will submit these files to CDX using CEDRI. The submission files are stored in the CDX CROMERR archive and become available to submitters and authorized EPA reviewers immediately upon submission.
ERT data submitted to EPA is available to the public from WebFIRE using the Search ERT Submissions option on the WebFIRE web site.
Released October 2011, updated February 2012
The ERT is used to electronically create and submit stationary source sampling test plans to regulatory agencies and, after approval, to calculate and submit the test results as an electronic report to the regulatory agency.
The ERT replaces the time-intensive manual preparation and transcription of stationary source emissions test plans and reports currently performed by contractors for emissions sources and the time-intensive manual quality assurance evaluations and documentation performed by State agencies. The ERT provides a format that:
- Highlights the need to document the key information and procedures required by the existing EPA Federal Test Methods;
- Facilitates coordination among the source, the test contractor, and the regulatory agency in planning and preparing for the emissions test;
- Provides for consistent criteria to quantitatively characterize the quality of the data collected during the emissions test;
- Standardizes the reports; and
- Provides for future capabilities to electronically exchange information in the reports with facility, State or Federal data systems.
In addition to improving the content and quality of source emissions test reports, the ERT should:
- Reduce the workload associated with manual transcription of information and data contained in the report;
- Reduce the resources required to store and access the reports; and
- Reduce redundant efforts in using the data for multiple purposes.
EPA Methods and Pollutants Supported, and Information about Selecting a "Custom" Test Method in ERT 4.0
If you are reporting a test which used a method not listed as ERT-supported, you may be able to select “custom” method and “custom” compounds.
Changes in version 4.0 from version 3.0
Issues addressed:
- Ability to import new and old spreadsheets.
- Emission Factor calculation has been updated.
- Test result reports and tables can be exported to MS Word.
- Completeness Assessment has been added. The “Show Data” button works for the first 4 or 5 questions just to show the concept. We plan to expand and enhance this module as a quality assessment component of the ERT.
- Test Report button now lets you view/export full report or data summary tables now using the .accdb format (corrects attachment restrictions, file size issues etc.).
- Revised molecular weights to keep from getting a divide 0 error on printing test reports.
- Cgas now has a popup asking to keep negative value or make it a 0.
- Added popup button in header data to show impingers information for Vlc.
- Added the capability for individual users to add target pollutants to an individual ERT project data set. The user is required to input the CAS number and the target pollutant name in order to use this feature.
The Update History (PDF 20K) includes technical information about changes to versions 3 and 4. Updates to the ERT and other announcements about the ERT will be made available on the CHIEF Listserv. The listserv is easy to join and is open to everyone. Notices are sent directly to your email address.
| Installation, Program Files and User's Guide | |
This version of the program requires either MS Access 2007, MS Access 2010 or MS Access 2010 Runtime. Download the ZIP file below to your hard drive and extract the manual and the database to a folder. If you do not have MS Access 2007 or 2010, download and install MS Access 2010 Runtime from the Microsoft Access Download Center  prior to running the ERT. Running the ERT application (ERT4.accdb) will open the program with MS Access. |
Version 4 Program Files - February 2012 (ZIP 2.9MB) If you have MS Access 2007 or Access 2010 installed, download the ZIP file to your hard drive and extract the manual and the database to a folder. Open the program with MS Access. Please read the Update History to keep track of changes and corrections in the program. (PDF 20K) |
| ERT Project Data Set (PDS) and Spreadsheet. (ZIP 1.5M) This is a populated PDS and Spreadsheet for example purposes. The files are to be used with one of the above applications. This file includes an example PDS and the associated spreadsheet. Copy the file to your hard drive and extract the files. Use ERT to select the Example Data V3.mdb file. |
| User's Guide and Training Videos Program Files | |
| ERT User's Guide (PDF 3M) Training Information and Training Webinars |
| ERT import spreadsheet | |
| ERT has the ability to import data for manual test methods from two specific spreadsheet templates. The following describes how to incorporate the spreadsheet template into your custom spreadsheet so you can use the import function into ERT. This is intended to reduce the effort associated with field data entry into the ERT and improve the reliability of data transcription. Detailed instructions for merging the new spreadsheet template with a proprietary field data spreadsheet application and the new spreadsheet template are available here. Requirements for modifying a spreadsheet for ERT Import (PDF 23K) ERT data entry template for version 4, includes instructions (XLT 137K). Updated December 28, 2011 |
| Spreadsheet template for importing test data to WebFIRE | |
| Who should use this spreadsheet? Source tests conducted prior to January 1, 2012 that did not use ERT to compile the data should use this spreadsheet to submit the test data to EPA electronically. The spreadsheet allows source test data to be added to WebFIRE electronically. WebFIRE Template (XLS 27K) Instructions for using and entering data into the spreadsheet. WebFIRE Template instructions (PDF 66K) Updated October 26, 2011 |
| ERT data available from WebFIRE | |
| ERT data submitted to EPA is available to the public from WebFIRE using the Search ERT Submissions option. |
| Helpful Links Supporting the Electronic Reporting Tool | |
| Emission Measurement Center Test Methods Emission Measurement Center Quality Assurance (QA) Team Documents Preparation and Review of Site Specific Test Plans Preparation and Review of Emission Test Reports |
| EPA QA Handbook Volume III Information in the current and previous version of Volume III of the QA Handbook may provide the basis for much of the context sensitive help for this tool. For information on the QC criteria of the methods, the QA Handbook Volume III (the old QA Red Book) and the revision of the handbook, are located and discussed on the EPA's Emission Measurement Center web site. |
| Email your comments to Ron Myers at myers.ron@epa.gov. We will update this software and the User's Guide periodically as reviewers identify easily to accommodate expansion, enhancement or corrections in the application. |