2020 EnviroFlash Announcements about EPA Fuel Programs

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This page lists recent EnviroFlash announcements that have been released to update stakeholders about EPA fuel programs.

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EMTS Release 5.4.1 Release Downtime Dec. 4 at 5 PM ET

On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 5:00 pm ET, EPA will release updates to the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS).  EMTS v5.4.1 will include technical updates to fix known issues, including a fix to the Blender Transaction Page navigation for small blenders.
To avoid failed submissions and other possible issues, please do not attempt to submit any node-based or web-based transactions in EMTS starting at 5 PM ET on Friday, December 4, 2020.  The system is expected to be back up post-release at approximately 6 PM ET Friday, December 4, 2020.

Intermittent Maintenance Downtime for EMTS Production Dec 3, 7:30-9:00 AM

There will be intermittent production downtime for the EMTS application on the morning of December 3, 2020, 7:30 to 9:00 AM EST to allow for system maintenance.  Please be aware there may be delay in processing EMTS transactions, and if systems are unavailable please try your transaction again at a later time
 

EPA is hosting a virtual workshop discussing implementation of Fuels Regulatory Streamlining final rule (part 1090)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a virtual workshop to discuss the implementation of 40 CFR part 1090 ("Part 1090") ahead of its implementation date of January 1, 2021. The Fuels Regulatory Streamlining final rule was signed on October 15, 2020. This rule streamlines and modernizes EPA's fuel quality regulations previously under 40 CFR part 80 ("Part 80") to help reduce administrative burden for stakeholders, while improving overall compliance assurance and maintaining environmental performance.

The virtual workshop will provide the opportunity for EPA to update stakeholders on its progress regarding the implementation of Part 1090 and for stakeholders to inquire about the regulatory requirements of Part 1090 prior to its implementation date of January 1, 2020. The workshop will cover a broad range of topics related to the implementation of the Part 1090 regulations and how the Part 1090 regulations relate to the previous Part 80 regulations.

All attendees must pre-register for the workshop by sending an e-mail to ASD-Registration@epa.gov no later than December 2, 2020.

Additional information related to the workshop will be posted on EPA's Fuels Regulatory Streamlining website at http://www.epa.gov/diesel-fuel-standards/fuels-regulatory-streamlining. Interested parties should check the website for any updated information.

For further information, contact Nick Parsons via telephone at (734) 214-4479 or e-mail at ASD-Registration@epa.gov.
 

Continuing Issues with CDX Connectivity

Central Data Exchange (CDX) system users continue to experience intermittent accessibility to applications.  EPA technical teams are engaged in troubleshooting the issue.  As issues are intermittent, CDX users should continue processing transactions as the systems allow.  EPA will send another EnviroFlash when connectivity is restored. Thank you for your patience.

EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) Full Node Functionality is Restored

As of approximately 11 am ET on 9/23/2020, the issue with node submissions in the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) has been addressed and full node functionality is restored.  All node users may now resume processing submissions.

EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) Failures in Processing Node Submissions

As of approximately 4:36 p.m. ET on 9/21/2020, the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) is experiencing failures in processing node submissions. We are aware of the issue and are working to restore full EMTS functionality. Until full node functionality is restored, please do not attempt to process node submissions to EMTS.  We are working to correct these issues as quickly as possible and will send another EnviroFlash when node submission functionality is restored. Thank you for your patience.

Effective Date for Implementing Changes to Fuel Registration Process Under 40 CFR Part 79

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the effective date for a change to the way registrations of fuels from fuel manufacturers under 40 CFR Part 79 are accepted.

Effective today, Wednesday, July 22, 2020, the EPA is transitioning to full electronic submissions for new fuel registrations and updates to existing fuel registrations. If you seek registration for a new fuel or update to an existing fuel you are required to do so electronically through the OTAQREG application in CDX. OTAQREG is the same application used to register companies and facilities for 40 CFR Part 80 programs.  (Electronic submission of Part 79 periodic reports and fuel additive registrations will be announced and are expected to take effect later this year.)  EPA will no longer accept mailed paper submissions of EPA Form 3520-12 and parties will be redirected to submit their requests electronically.

EPA is implementing these changes to streamline and expedite new registrations and updates to existing registrations. Electronic submissions will bring the Part 79 registration process more in line with modern information collection standards and practices.

Registration requests must be signed and submitted electronically by RCOs. EPA will no longer accept registration requests that are wet-ink signed and mailed to EPA. RCOs who do not currently have e-signature capability in OTAQREG should take the required steps now, to enable e-signature capabilities.

For instructions on how fuel manufacturers/importers can electronically submit fuel requests through OTAQREG, please see https://www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/register-or-update-fuel-request-under-40-cfr-part

Announcement of Upcoming Changes to Fuel Registration Process Under 40 CFR Part 79

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon announce the effective date for a change to the way registrations of fuels from fuel manufacturers under 40 CFR Part 79 will be accepted.

The EPA is transitioning to full electronic submissions for new fuel registrations and updates to existing fuel registrations. If you seek registration for a new fuel or update to an existing fuel under 40 CFR, Part 79 you will be required to do so through the OTAQREG application in CDX. OTAQREG is the same application used to register companies and facilities for 40 CFR Part 80 programs. (Electronic submission of Part 79 periodic reports and fuel additive registrations will be announced and are expected to take effect later this year.) Once implemented, the EPA will no longer accept mailed paper submissions of EPA forms 3520-12 and parties will be redirected to submit their requests electronically.

EPA is implementing these changes to streamline and expedite new registrations and updates to existing registrations. Electronic submissions will bring the Part 79 registration process more in line with modern information collection standards and practices.

After the system release, fuel registration requests must be signed and submitted electronically by RCOs. EPA will no longer accept registration requests that are wet-ink signed and mailed to EPA. RCOs who do not currently have e-signature capability in OTAQREG should take the required steps now, to enable e-signature capabilities in anticipation of this update. 

More information on how to electronically submit fuel requests will be provided via a subsequent announcement. 

Enviroflash Announcement for EMTS v5.3.5 Deployment

On Friday, May 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. ET, the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) will be taken offline to deploy v5.3.5 of the application. This version will include fixes to issues that have been impacting EMTS web interface functionality. RIN Separations, RIN Retirements, and searches that include a date field in the search criteria, as well as, the display of company and facility names within double quotation marks when the name contains characters such as periods, commas or dashes.

To avoid failed submissions and other possible issues, please do not attempt to submit any node-based or web-based transactions in EMTS between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 pm ET on Friday, May 29, 2020. 

Potential COR Signature Failures

EMTS is currently experiencing an issue where users may encounter a failure when attempting to electronically sign their Copy of Record (COR) while using the Mozilla Firefox web browser. This situation appears to be limited to Mozilla Firefox users. The EMTS development team is aware of the issue and is currently working towards a resolution. 

In the meantime, we suggest you attempt to electronically sign the COR in EMTS using a different web browser such as Internet Explorer. Please contact FuelsProgramSupport@epa.gov if the issue persists with an alternate web browser. 

We will send another notice when the issue is resolved.

Impacts to EMTS Web Interface Functionality 

A recent unscheduled deployment of EMTS introduced a bug that is impacting EMTS web interface functionality for RIN separations, RIN retirements, and searches that include a date field in the search criteria.

Please note that the underlying data in EMTS and the ability of the EMTS to process node transaction submissions are not affected by this bug. Parties may continue to submit data via the node or by using the excel to XML conversion tool.

Also, users may notice that the web interface may display company and facility names within double quotation marks when the name contains characters such as periods, commas or dashes. This is due to a display configuration setting that was altered with the recent EMTS deployment.

We are working to correct these issues as quickly as possible and will send another notice when they are resolved.

New Contact Information for Fuels Program and IT Helpdesks

Attention!  The Fuels Program Helpdesk is transitioning to a new inquiry management system and new e-mail address beginning Friday, May 15, 2020.  Starting Friday, May 15, 2020, please direct NEW inquiries to FuelsProgramSupport@epa.gov.

Inquiries submitted previously and through May 14 will be managed using our old system.  We will communicate with you using the support ticket number assigned by the old system until your issue is closed.

Effective May 15, any NEW inquiries sent to the old Fuels Program Helpdesk e-mail address will receive an automated response directing users to communicate via the new e-mail address.

Greenhouse Gas Calculations for Efficient Producers Also Producing Hand Sanitizer

EPA has issued clarifying guidance regarding energy allocation and greenhouse gas emissions calculations for ethanol producers registered for an Efficient Producer Pathway who are also producing hand sanitizer. For more information see https://www.epa.gov/fuels-registration-reporting-and-compliance-help/greenhouse-gas-calculations-efficient-producers

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Last updated on March 29, 2024