Electronic Reporting Process for Stationary Sources Presentations and Webinars

Overall Electronic Reporting Process for Stationary Sources

The Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) and WebFIRE are critical program components in the stakeholder-centered process for developing emissions factors. The ERT is a Microsoft access application that 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.  ERT files are uploaded to Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI) on the Central Data Exchange (CDX) and the data is transferred to WebFIRE for public access.

Quality assured source emissions test reports provide the foundation for calculation of the average emissions factors that reside in WebFIRE and for the determination of the quality ratings assigned to the emissions factors. The ERT includes an export routine to WebFIRE where the critical information needed to calculate the emissions factors resides. WebFIRE will allow more frequent updates, easier access, and greater transparency for the Agency's emissions factors development and application process.

Powerpoint presentations as pdfs, instructional videos and recorded webinars below are to assist with the navigation and use of the Electronic Reporting Process for Stationary Sources. Information is also presented on the potential use benefits to the source test contractor and state/local/tribal agencies.

ERT Videos, Webinars, and Powerpoint Presentations

These eight recordings describe how to prepare a source test plan/protocol in the ERT. Once completed, the plan/protocol may be submitted to the regulatory agency for review and comment. This plan/protocol becomes the framework and basis for stack test data entry and a complete electronic test report. 

• Identification of the Facility and Stack Test Contractor. (MP4, 52.6 MB, 8 minutes)
• Source Identification (Permit and Source Number, Process Rates and Source Categorization). (MP4, 75 MB, 20 minutes)
• Identification of Sample Location, Test Method/Pollutant and Reporting Units for Emissions. (MP4, 67 MB, 17 minutes)
• Identification of Test Purpose (Regulations, Limits). (MP4 36 MB, 18 minutes)
• Process Description, Process Data, Process Lab Data and Control Device Parameter Monitoring. (MP4 105 MB, 29 minutes)
• Alternative Method, Audit Materials, Calibration, Schedule Documentation. (MP4 58 M, 14 minutes)
• Corporate Spreadsheet Modification for ERT Manual Method Field Data Import (MP4 95 M, 20 minutes) using one of the ERT Field and Header Data import spreadsheets.
• Creating a Test Plan From Report and Field Data Import from Merged Spreadsheet (MP4 114 M, 20 minutes) data using one of the ERT Field and Header Data import spreadsheets for ERT manual methods field data import.

These six recordings demonstrate procedures to enter data collected during field testing and analyses of collected samples. Videos are organized to demonstrate procedures applicable for general source sampling methodologies.

• Entering header and point data into single sampler test methods. (MP4 53.7 M, 12 minutes) Video recording demonstrating four procedures to enter single sample train field data collected during isokinetic and non-isokinetic manual testing into the header and point data tables of ERT. Importing data from spreadsheet files, importing data from XML files, copying and pasting groups of data elements and manual individual data element entry.
• Entering laboratory data into single sampler test methods.  (MP4 68.5 M, 14 minutes) Video recording demonstrating the manual entry of stack sample laboratory analyses for single sampler test methods. The video also provides an overview and demonstrates data entry per EPA Guideline Document 51F.
• Entering header, point and sample analysis data into dual sampler test methods. (MP4 138 M, 33 minutes) Video recording demonstrating the procedure to import Method 30B field data into the header and point data tabs and the manual entry of laboratory analyses. Provides an overview of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control information calculated and presented in the ERT.
• How to enter instrumental test methods data into the ERT. (MP4 86.4 M, 23 minutes) Video recording demonstrating the procedure to enter final calibration, gas certification documentation, instrument direct and system, calibration and test results data.
• How to enter Process, APCD and Process Lab data. (MP4 43.1 M, 11 minutes) Video recording demonstrating the entry of values documented during emission test runs for operational process parameters, APCD operating parameters and laboratory analyses of process feed or product samples.
• How to enter RATA data into the ERT. (MP4 88.5 M, 16 minutes) Video recording demonstrating the procedure to verify reference method, data quality, entering continuous emission monitoring data, identification and selection of excluded data and creation of a Relative Accuracy Test Audit (RATA) report.
• How to enter Miscellaneous test methods data into the ERT (MP4 210M, 15 minutes) Video recording demonstrating the procedure to enter  miscellaneous methods into the ERT.  This includes entering the final data results into the miscellaneous methods tab.

These two webinar recordings (July 2014) describe the regulatory agencies use of the ERT to review and provide comments on a submitted Source Test Plan/Protocol and the review of the test report and provide comments on information provided by the facility or test contractor and recommend revisions of the test report.

• First half of EPA Webinar with MARAMA States - Test Protocol review. (MP4 145 M, 26 minutes)
• Second half of EPA Webinar with MARAMA States - Test Report review. (MP4 90 M, 24 minutes) 

Presentations:

• EPA's Electronic Reporting Process:  An Overview of the ERT, CEDRI and WebFIRE - AWMA Presentation (February 10, 2021, PDF 12.9MB)
• An Overview of the Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT) and Its Version 6 Updates - April 2021 (MP4 37MB, 19 minutes)
• Miscellaneous Methods in the ERT Training (pptx) (30.47 MB, 4/15/2024)

CEDRI Powerpoint Presentations

Presentations describing the CEDRI system. 

WebFIRE Powerpoint Presentations

Presentations describing WebFIRE system and emission factor development.