Tips for the ERT
This section provides tips on how to use the Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT). Click on the bullet below to view tip relating to your selection. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our web site. If you have tips, questions or comments, please contact Theresa Lowe by sending an email to lowe.theresa@epa.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ERT
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT). Click on a question below to view answers relating to your selection. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our web site. Should you have any further questions or comments, please contact Theresa Lowe by sending an email to lowe.theresa@epa.gov.
1. | How can I get the ERT to run on my computer? |
Verify you have a version of Microsoft Access® that will run the ERT. If you have Microsoft Access version 2007:
If you have Microsoft Access version 2010:
If you do NOT have Microsoft Access or have an earlier version than 2007:
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2. | Is there a way I can stop the ERT security warnings? |
If you have Microsoft Access 2007, to avoid these warnings every time you run ERT, make the ERT directory and all subdirectories “Trusted Locations”.
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3. | Are the ERT calculations correct for the Volume of Water Vapor Collected and for the Dry Gas Meter Volume? I get a different value when I use the EPA Method 5 calculations for those parameters. |
Neither the ERT nor your calculations are incorrect. In EPA Method 5, options are available in the equations for calculating the volume of gas sample measured by the dry gas meter, corrected to standard conditions (Vm(std)) and the equation for calculating the volume of water vapor in the gas sample, corrected to standard conditions (Vw(std)). In both instances, there are two equations presented in Method 5 for each calculation. The first equation presented in Section 12.3 and 12.4 are ones which present the variables associated with the sampling equipment and test conditions and constants for standard conditions and gas characteristics. The values for these constants are presented in Section 12.1 but are rounded to four significant figures. The second equation presented in these sections of Method 5 use a single calculated value (K1 and K2) replacing all these constants. The calculation uses four to five significant digits and then rounds the result to four significant figures. When K1 and K2 are calculated with all the constants rounded to four significant figures and the resulting value rounded to four significant figures, the result is a different value than the K1 and K2 presented in Method 5. The ERT calculations use the procedures used to generate the second equations. Since the ERT allows for different standard temperatures and pressures to accommodate State and local agency rules, the values used are the values used to calculate the K1 and K2 in the method. Prior to rounding, these values may differ at the third to fifth significant digit. But when the policy to round the final results to two significant digits is followed there is no difference. For emissions limits expressed to three significant digits, the values using the published K1 and K2 do not introduce calculation errors due to multiple rounding. |
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4. | How do I submit my files electronically to EPA? |
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5. | How do I submit my files to EPA if I can't use ERT files? (For instance, the test data includes methods not supported by the ERT). |
Only data collected using the test methods listed on the ERT website (https://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ert/ert_info.html) should be submitted electronically to WebFIRE. If you have used non ERT supported test methods, data should be submitted as described by your state/local agency. |
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6. | How do I submit my ERT files to EPA if the data includes confidential business information (CBI)? |
Sources who claim that some of the information being submitted in their performance tests is confidential business information (CBI) must mail a completed ERT file including the CBI on a compact disk or other commonly used electronic storage media clearly marked as CBI to U.S. EPA/OAPQS/CORE CBI Office, Attention: WebFIRE Administrator, MD C404-02, 4930 Old Page Rd., Durham, NC 27703. In addition, the same ERT file with the CBI omitted must be submitted to EPA via CDX. |
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7. | My CDX registration has been approved, and my ERT files are in the correct format. I keep getting the message that my submission to CEDRI was not successful. Why is this? |
Recently the CDX Help Desk verified that this is happening because of the java cache on the user's desktop. Complete instructions for clearing the cache can be found on page 2 of the CDX\CEDRI user Guide. (PDF, 81pp 4M). |
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8. | I am already registered to submit TRI-ME (or TSCA, RCRA, CEDRI etc.) data through EPA's CDX. Can I extend my authorization to other data systems? |
At present, three CDX data flows support Electronic Signature Agreement (ESA) reuse functionality: CEDRI, TSCA, and TRI. CEDRI users can re-use TSCA’s ESAs – this is already in place and doesn’t require any changes on the CDX side. A TSCA user can simply add a CEDRI dataflow to their dataflow list and electronically sign their ESA without a need to go through LexisNexis or paper validation process. However, CEDRI users cannot reuse TRI’s ESAs, because TRI’s identity proofing threshold is set at a lower level than that of CEDRI’s. CEDRI requires a wet ink signature and a phone call, whereas TRI only requires a wet ink signature. Due to these slightly more stringent requirements, CEDRI users cannot re-use TRI’s ESAs. eGGRT dataflow doesn’t currently support ESA reuse, so eGGRT users that register for CEDRI will have to go through standard identity proofing process prior to getting access. |
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