Emissions Tracking System (ETS) / Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) User Bulletin – Third Quarter 2008 (October 2008)

As of January 24, 2008, the EPA 7610-14 certification application form is no longer required by the agency. Sources no longer need to send this form to CAMD or to the State or EPA Regional offices.

Third Quarter 2008 Submission Period

The deadline for the third quarter 2008 electronic data report submissions is Thursday, October 30, 2008. Access to the EPA mainframe will be open from Wednesday, October 1, 2008, through Thursday, October 30, 2008, for third quarter 2008 submissions.

Mandatory Use of the Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) in 2009

ATTENTION: Beginning with the first quarter of 2009, all industry sources MUST use the Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan System (ECMPS) to submit monitoring plan, QA/cert test, and emissions data to the EPA for the Acid Rain and CAIR programs.

Sources will no longer be able to use MDC or ETS-FTP/SecuRemote to submit data after fourth quarter 2008.

ECMPS requires use of a new data format which is XML-based (eXtensible Markup Language). This new format will replace the text-based EDR format (EDR versions 2.1/2.2). As a result, sources will no longer be able to use MDC or ETS-FTP/SecuRemote to review/submit data after fourth quarter 2008. Instead, ECMPS will replace these software tools and provide the necessary data evaluation and submittal functions.

If you are not aware of this 2009 requirement, you are strongly encouraged to contact your DAHS vendor immediately, if applicable. If you have questions or wish to be added to the ECMPS Stakeholder email group, contact Laurel DeSantis.

If you do not submit quarterly data to the EPA, please inform the appropriate personnel as soon as possible.

Audits of Monitoring Plan Data

The Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) takes great pride on the quality, transparency, completeness, accuracy and credibility of the data that the regulated sources generate under the Acid Rain Program and the NO_x Budget Trading Program. This data is not only used to ensure program compliance but as the foundation to a number of progress reports and outreach documents that the Agency publishes on a routine basis. In this regard the Agency needs to ensure that in addition to emissions data, other reported information is also accurate. In 2006, CAMD will begin auditing monitoring plan data in quarterly EDRs for air pollution control equipment information (i.e. Record Type 586) to ensure that all control information (both add-on control devices and combustion control devices to limit SO₂, NO_X and particulate emissions) is accurate. This information is required under 40CFR Part 75. Please update this information in your monitoring plans and EDRs to reflect the current control equipment information for each unit and for each air pollutant (NO_X, SO₂ and particulate matter) using the appropriate codes along with the appropriate date information and primary/secondary and seasonal use flags as provided in the EDR instruction manual. Specifically, include any added control devices (LNB, SCR), any changes to control devices (LNB to LNBO), or operational changes to limit seasonal emissions (other).

EPA No Longer Accepts Zip Files

The EPA enhanced its Agency computer security by not allowing "Zip" files through its firewall, since certain computer viruses can now be transmitted in these files. This security step has proven troublesome to the handful of sources who do not use ETS-FTP to transmit their electronic data reports (EDR) each quarter, but instead E-mail them to their EPA assigned analyst for processing. If you must E-mail an EDR to your EPA assigned analyst, do not compress the file using Zip compression software. You should send the file in a text format without compressing the file. If you have any questions, please contact your EPA assigned analyst.

New Version of Monitoring Data Checking (MDC) Software

MDC Version 4.2.58. The current version of MDC is Version 4.2.58, revised as of May 7, 2008. This version of MDC supersedes MDC v4.2.57 which was previously posted in May, 2007, and supports the January 24, 2008, revisions to §75.74(c)(2) affecting ozone season only reporters beginning in 2008 and the change in the cycle time response test requirements.

This version of MDC also includes other minor fixes to "bugs" and problems, not related to the changes noted above, that were reported in the previous version. The changes and fixes are detailed in the "Release Notes" document.

If you have questions about the software, please contact Kim Nguyen, U.S. EPA, Clean Air Markets Division at (202) 343-9102 or e-mail: nguyen.kim@epa.gov.

Updated ETS-FTP 2.1 (October, 2007)

Sources should download ETS-FTP Version 2.1 which is available at ETS-FTP/SecuRemote Software. Due to recent upgrades on the EPA mainframe, ETS-FTP required a revision to ensure that it saved your mainframe password after you changed it. The data range check function was updated to include the latest revisions for EDR V2.1 and V2.2. The CAMD Hotline phone number and the EPA Technical Support phone number are included in the program and its documentation. The ETS-FTP Installation Instructions document has been updated as well.

To download ETS-FTP Version 2.1, visit ETS-FTP/SecuRemote Software.

Submitting an Electronic Data Report (EDR) for the First Time

There are several steps that have to be taken before an Electronic Data Report (EDR) can be submitted for a new unit:

The first step a newly affected source must take is to submit a Certificate of Representation form (Acid Rain and CAIR Programs) or an Account Certificate of Representation form (NO_x Budget Trading Program), or log on to the CAMD Business System and add the information for the appropriate facility/unit(s) online. If you have any questions about registering for CBS, please contact Alex Salpeter at (202) 343-9157, Paula Branch at (202) 343-9168, or Karen VanSickle at (202) 343-9220.
Once the information identifying the primary representative, the facility and units has been submitted and processed, the source must submit the appropriate certification test data and monitoring plan.
After the monitoring plan has been received and successfully processed by CAMD's Emissions Monitoring Branch and the unit is added to the Emissions Tracking System, an EDR may be submitted for the unit.

If you have any questions concerning this process, please call your EPA assigned Emissions Tracking System (ETS) analyst. See ETS Analyst Assignments below.

Reporting a Change in Reporting Frequency for SUBH Sources

For the SUBH sources that will be changing their reporting frequency (Q-quarterly, OS-ozone season) for the 2008 calendar year, please contact your assigned ETS analyst. See ETS Analyst Assignments below. For example, if you are not an Acid Rain Program affected source and currently report on a quarterly basis for the NO_x Budget Trading Program but will be reporting on an ozone season basis for 2008, you must contact the ETS analyst identified in the ETS feedback report to make the necessary updates to the Emissions Tracking System.

ETS and Electronic Audit (MDC) Feedback Reports

In the first quarter 2003, sources began receiving two sets of feedback reports for each electronic data report submitted using either EDR v2.1 or EDR v2.2. This is based on a two-step audit process that has been implemented at the EPA. The first is the ETS "instant" feedback report, and the second is the MDC electronic audit feedback generated from the EPA's subsequent Electronic Audit process, as described below:

ETS Instant Feedback

This is the first feedback report received by the sources. It is the "instant" ETS feedback report received when a source submits their electronic data reports to the EPA using ETS-FTP. This ETS feedback report provides you with the EPA's "Status Code" assigned to the electronic data report, and primarily focuses on the quality and completeness of the hourly and cumulative data contained in the quarterly report. Additionally, ETS checks the information supporting the emissions data and will identify any errors found in that data. If you have questions, please contact the ETS analyst identified in the ETS feedback report. See ETS Analyst Assignments below.

Electronic Audit Feedback

This is the second feedback report received by the sources. It will be sent after the EPA conducts the electronic audits of the monitoring plan and QA test data (RATA, Linearity, fuel flowmeters, Appendix E, etc.) contained in each electronic data report. Please note that CAMD will conduct electronic audits of Appendix D and Appendix E monitoring systems on the first quarter 2006 electronic data report. The results of an extensive electronic audit of the hourly data in the electronic data reports are included with this monitoring plan/QA test audit feedback report. This additional audit checks for monitor "out-of-control" conditions and verifies that any relevant Bias Adjustment Factor (BAF) was correctly calculated and applied to the hourly data. The EPA generates this second feedback report using the Monitoring Data Checking (MDC) software.

Note: This MDC audit process feedback is independent of the feedback report you receive at the time of an EDR submission. You may be asked to resolve any error identified in either feedback report.

Electronic audit process feedback based on new submissions will be generated and sent twice a week until the end of the quarterly report submissions period. Despite the early release of electronic audit process results, there are no changes to either the quarterly report submission period or to the electronic audit process resubmission deadlines. The electronic audit process feedback will be e-mailed to the DR/AAR and any staff members identified as an Emission Report contact in the CAMD Business System (CBS). If you have questions, please contact the EPA staff analyst identified in the feedback letter sent to you by e-mail.

We wish to inform you that the current version of MDC was posted on Novemeber 17, 2006, and is available at the Monitoring Data Checking Software page. If you have questions, please address them to Kim Nguyen, U.S. EPA, Clean Air Markets Division at (202) 343-9102 or e-mail: nguyen.kim@epa.gov. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

ETS Error Code List

The ETS feedback identifies any Rejection, Critical, or Informational errors that were found in the electronic data reports. Any report that is found to contain a Rejection error or a Critical error must be corrected and resubmitted, by the source, before the resubmission deadline for that quarter. Informational errors are reviewed closely by the EPA, and sources are encouraged to resolve these errors. Each error has a specific ETS error code and error message associated with it. A complete listing of the active ETS Rejection, Critical, and Informational error codes/messages can be accessed by downloading the PDF file (PDF, 439K, 77 PP.). (last updated June, 2008).

EPA Mainframe/SecuRemote Password Policies

If you have been authorized to submit electronic data reports to the EPA, you will need to install both the SecuRemote and the ETS-FTP software programs on your computer. SecuRemote is a software required for making a secure connection to the EPA mainframe, while ETS-FTP is the software used for submitting electronic data reports to the EPA through the secure connection. Each authorized user is assigned a personal EPA User ID and two passwords: an EPA mainframe password (for ETS-FTP) and a SecuRemote password. Authorized users are required to keep these passwords current, and cannot share their EPA User ID and passwords with anyone else.

EPA Mainframe Password

Users enter their mainframe password into the "Password" screen in the ETS-FTP software. ETS-FTP then uses this password whenever it attempts to log onto the EPA mainframe computer for electronic data report submissions (also see SecuRemote Password below). The EPA security requirements state that your mainframe password will expire when it is 90 days old, so you will need to change your mainframe password on a regular basis to keep it valid. To change your password, go to ETS-FTP's "Password" screen and use the "Change Mainframe Password" option to change your mainframe password (note that after the password expires you have an additional 10-day grace period during which you can still change your password. Once the grace period expires, you will need to contact EPA for assistance). If you have misplaced your password, cannot change it, or find that your mainframe access has been temporarily revoked, please contact your ETS analyst for assistance. See ETS Analyst Assignments below.

SecuRemote Password

When an authorized user attempts to access the EPA computer system using ETS-FTP, the SecuRemote software will activate. SecuRemote's purpose is to authenticate an authorized user's identity and establish a secure connection to the EPA computer system. When ETS-FTP contacts the EPA's computer system, SecuRemote will prompt the user to submit their User ID and SecuRemote password for authentication purposes. If authentication is successful, the connection is established and ETS-FTP will attempt to log onto the EPA mainframe with the user's mainframe password. The EPA security requirements state that your SecuRemote password will expire when it is 90 days old. To change the SecuRemote password, you must go to the secure Web site. Visit the secure remote Website at https://sr3a1.nccr.epa.gov. Log in with your User ID and current SecuRemote password, and then change your password. If you have misplaced your SecuRemote Password or cannot change it, you must contact the EPA's Technical Support Center at (866) 411-4EPA (4372) for assistance.

ETS Tolerance Table

ETS performs recalculation checks on certain hourly data and issues an error if the value recalculated by ETS differs from the reported value by more than a specified tolerance. A document summarizing the various tolerance checks built into ETS and the corresponding error codes in the ETS Tolerance Table (PDF) (4pp., 41K, About PDF) (last updated January 2006).

Industry Management of Facility/Unit Data via the Web

EPA’s Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) has developed the CAMD Business System (CBS), a Web-based application that enables authorized industry users to submit certain data to CAMD online, as described below. CBS enables users to manage their own source data without relying on CAMD to receive and process paper forms. Users are able to perform the following functions online:

Add new facilities and/or units
Modify existing facility/unit data
Identify facility representatives
Modify owner/operator information
Perform allowance transfers
Modify personal contact information
Submit new/retired unit exemption data
Create new general accounts
Modify existing general account information
Submit annual compliance certifications
Perform allowance deductions
Determine applicability for the Acid Rain Program

Primary Representatives and Alternate Representatives are able to designate agents to perform functions in CBS on their behalf. Representatives are able to designate Source Management Agents, Allowance Trading Agents, Compliance Agents, and General Account Management Agents. Each agent will receive their own User ID and password to access CBS. While an agent may perform certain tasks for their representative, the Primary Representative is ultimately responsible for actions taken by their agents and their Alternate's agents. Representatives may assign Agents online using CBS, or they may complete and submit a form with required information. For more information, see the Assigning Agents page. A description of the different Agent types is available, as well as a form that may be completed and faxed to the EPA. EPA will confirm the Agent assignment via e-mail to both the Representative and the new Agent. If you have any questions about assigning Agents, please contact Laurel DeSantis at desantis.laurel@epa.gov or (202) 343-9191.

To register for the CAMD Business System (CBS) or to access CBS, visit What is the CAMD Business System (CBS)? If you have any questions about registering for CBS, please contact Alex Salpeter at salpeter.alex@epa.gov or (202) 343-9157 or Paula Branch at branch.paula@epa.gov or (202) 343-9168.

If you have any questions about the CAMD Business System (CBS), please contact Laurel DeSantis at desantis.laurel@epa.gov or (202) 343-9191.

ETS Analyst Assignments

Each company affected by the Acid Rain and/or NO_x Budget Trading Programs has an Emissions Tracking System (ETS) assigned analyst to assist with electronic data report questions. The following table indicates the ETS analyst assignments:

Region	States	Contact	Phone	E-Mail
1	CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT	Craig Hillock	202-343-9105	hillock.craig@epa.gov
2	NJ, NY	Craig Hillock	202-343-9105	hillock.craig@epa.gov
3	DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV	Ujjval Shukla	202-343-9196	shukla.ujjval@epa.gov
4	AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN	Kevin Tran	202-343-9074	tran.kevin@epa.gov
5	IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI	Louis Nichols Kevin Tran	202-343-9008 202-343-9074	nichols.louis@epa.gov tran.kevin@epa.gov
6	AR, LA, NM, OK, TX	Ujjval Shukla	202-343-9196	shukla.ujjval@epa.gov
7	IA, KS, MO, NE	Craig Hillock	202-343-9105	hillock.craig@epa.gov
8	CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY	Robert Miller	202-343-9077	miller.robertl@epa.gov
9	AZ, CA, NV	Kevin Tran	202-343-9074	tran.kevin@epa.gov
10	ID, OR, WA	Kenon Smith	202-343-9164	smith.kenon@epa.gov