ECMPS Support

Although a large percentage of the 2011 Q3 emission submissions have been received, there are a number that are outstanding. That means that some people will be hustling to complete their submissions before the end of the reporting period which is Monday, October 31, 2011. (Note, normally the submission period is 30 days. However, because the 30th day falls on a weekend, the last day to submit will actually be October 31st.)

At technical support, we will answer as many questions as we can. However, if you are submitting a technical support request in the last days of the submission period, please understand that you might be arriving late to the queue. And that means that your question may not be answered as fast as you would like. In general, technical support request tickets are answered in a first-come-first-served basis.

If you find yourself in the last minute mode trying to complete your submissions, please consult the information in the FAQ on what do if you are running out of time to submit.

The U.S. EPA is offering a one day training workshop on implementing the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) in Kansas City, Missouri on November 10, 2011. Representatives from EPA's Clean Air Market Division (CAMD) and Region 7 will discuss topics on the implementation of the CSAPR.

The topics scheduled to be discussed include emissions monitoring, roles and duties of designated representatives, and allowance true-up.

There is no cost for this workshop. To participate in the training, submit your information using the registration form. If you later have to cancel your registration, please let one of the workshop contacts know.

More information on the training can be found here.

Labels: Stakeholder Meeting

The October 14, 2011 Service Pack has been released.

Users who log in to the EPA Host System will be prompted to update to this Service Pack.

Users who must manually update the Client Tool will be able to obtain the additional files from the Shared Database Update page.

The update does not affect the Client Tool database which means that shared database users are not required to update their databases.

On Friday, October 14, 2011, a required service pack for the 2011 Q3 version of the ECMPS Client Tool will be released. All users of the Client Tool will be required to apply this service pack. Users who connect to the EPA Host System after the service pack is released will be prompted to complete the update. Users who manually apply updates will be able to obtain the necessary update file from the support website.

This service pack is being released in order to deal with two bugs. The first correction will take care of a problem related to the reporting of PGVP data which began on September 26, 2011. Error suppression was applied to all users in order to correct the problem, but this did not adequately handle the bug. The bug will be fully addressed in the October 14, 2011 service pack.

The second bug incorrectly gave an evaluation error if Flow RATA tests did not include PGVP data. The October 14, 2011 service pack will correct this bug.

Data reporting for the Protocol Gas Verification Program (PGVP) began on September 26, 2011.

PGVP data can be reported for days prior to September 26, 2011. However, if any of these data are reported, the entire PGVP related set of data must be included and the data will be subject to the appropriate evaluation checks. In other words, partial PGVP data cannot be reported because partial data will generate errors and any PGVP data reported must pass the evaluation checks.

For example, if the data submitted include a daily calibration record from September 25, 2011 which only includes the cylinder ID and not the upscale gas type code, expiration date, and vendor identifier, the evaluation will generate an error. If only partial PGVP data are available for dates prior to September 26, 2011, it is recommended to not include any of that PGVP data. Of course, PGVP data from September 26, 2011 on will be required to be reported and to be complete.

The Air Emissions Testing Body (AETB) data are not required to be reported until March 27, 2012. AETB data can be reported prior to that time, if desired. However, if any of the AETB data are reported, the data must be complete and will be subject to the appropriate evaluation checks.