Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

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:

• Verify that you have at least Service Pack 2 installed.
  • Open Microsoft Access, click on the MS circle in the upper left corner of the Access window,
  • Click on "Access Options" at the bottom of the window,
  • Click on "Resources" in the left column.
  • At the bottom of the window just below the text "“about Microsoft Office Access 2007"” the software (Microsoft Office Access 2007) and the Service Pack level is identified. If Service Pack 2 is installed, the text "“SP2 MSO”" will be between two sets of numbers that are in parentheses.
  • If you do not have Service Pack 2 installed, click on "“Check for Updates"” and follow the directions to install the updates from Microsoft. Many corporate computers do not allow users to install software and you will need to contact your Information Technology Center for them to update your software.

If you have Microsoft Access version 2010:

• Any Service Pack level is acceptable in order to run the ERT Application.

If you do NOT have Microsoft Access:

• You will need to download and install the runtime version of Microsoft Access for the Office version you have on your computer.
• After installing the runtime version of Microsoft Access, download the ERT ZIP file to your hard drive and extract the manual and the database to a folder. Open the program with MS Access.

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”".

• To make the ERT directory a Trusted location, close the ERT application, open Microsoft Access,
• Click on the MS circle in the upper left corner of the Access window,
• Click on "“Access Options"” at the bottom of the window,
• Click on "“Trust Center"” in the left column,
• Click on “"Trust Center" Settings”,
• Click on "Trusted Locations”",
• Click on “"Add new location”".
• Browse for the location or directory where you saved the ERT application (the file ERTv5.accdb). Select this location and click on the box to the left of “"Subfolders of this location are also trusted” to enable these locations".
• Click on “"OK"”. Verify that the Path that you selected is one of the trusted locations.
• Click “"OK"” to close the Trust Center window then the Access Options window.
• Close Access. Reopen the ERT application.

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 (V_m(std)) and the equation for calculating the volume of water vapor in the gas sample, corrected to standard conditions (V_w(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.

4. How do I submit my files electronically to EPA?

• You must first register with the CDX. See the CDX/CEDRI Registration Process webpage for instructions.
• Only files generated by the ERT program can be submitted electronically to EPA via the CDX.
• Detailed instructions for uploading ERT files are included in the CDX/CEDRI User Guide (PDF)(191 pp, 9.7 M, About PDF) and on the CEDRI submission webpage.
• The ERT Submission File will be in the format of a Zip file. This Zip file contains two files: one Zip and one XML file. Your file must be in the proper format for a successful submittal. Please do not change the file name that was generated by the ERT software.

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 webpage 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.

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/OAQPS/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.

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)(191 pp, 9.9 M, About PDF)

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 data flow to their data flow 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 data flow 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.