This Network Update was distributed via the Exchange Network email alerts list on May 14, 2007.

In this edition of the Network Update, you'll find information on the 2007 reporting period for the National Emissions Inventory (NEI), as well as information on a new version of the XML schemas for the Air Quality System (AQS) data exchange.

2007 Reporting Period for National Emissions Inventory is Now Open

The 2007 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) reporting period is officially open for the 2005 Inventory year. U.S. EPA accepts submissions to NEI on an annual basis during the month of May. This year's reporting deadline is June 1, 2007.

Implementation resources and submittal instructions for version 3.0 of the NEI data exchange are available on the Exchange Network website at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/exchanges/air/nei.htm. The 2007 submisison will utilize the same XML schemas as last year; however, some schematron validation rules have changed. Please see the Exchange Network website for more details on the schematron rules for the 2007 submission.

For this reporting period, EPA will be accepting XML submissions of Point Source data only. The Area and Non-road Mobile, On-road Mobile, and Biogenic source types are required but will not be accepted in XML format. Non-XML users should make submissions through CDX Web at https://cdx.epa.gov.

Exchange Network users can find detailed submission instructions at the above link, but in general should be sure to:

1. Check Your Data and Correct Errors - Use the schematron validator tool at http://tools.epacdxnode.net/ to check your data before submitting to the CDX TEST Node. EPA has prepared a guide to assist you in using the validation site. Be sure to conform to the current schematron rules available on the Exchange Network website. To see an example of a successful validation, see the sample file provided by Nebraska on the Network website.

2. Submit to EPA CDX Test Node - Once your data passes validation using the validator tool, submit to the EPA CDX Test Node which checks for a properly constructed Exchange Network message with associated Header Document information to ensure the entire submission is successful. The Node Administrators should forward errors to Program for correction.

3. Submit to CDX Production Node - Once the EPA CDX Test Node has successfully processed the submitted file, the same file may be submitted to the CDX Production Node. This is a separate account from the CDX Test Node.

For more details on the submission process please see the Exchange network website at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/exchanges/air/nei.htm

The Exchange Network Help Desk can help you with your account, the validator, and submitting and initial trouble-shooting on your validation errors at (888)-890-1995 or nodehelpdesk@csc.com.

New XML Schemas Available for the Air Quality System (AQS) Data Exchange

Version 2.0 of the AQS XML schema is now available on the Exchange Network website at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/exchanges/air/aqs.htm. U.S. EPA will begin supporting version 2.0 of the schema for submissions to the AQS system beginning on June 1, 2007. EPA will continue to support version 1.0 of the schema for existing partners into the foreseeable future.

Version 2.0 was written to accomodate exchanges with EPA's AQS system as well as with other Network partners. Partners can now use the same schema to share real-time air quality data among themselves, as the states of New Jersey, New York, and Delaware are doing with the Air Quality Data Exchange (http://www.exchangenetwork.net/exchanges/air/aqde.htm). Version 2.0 of the AQS schema is also compliant with the Environmental Sampling and Results (ESAR) data standard. For more information on testing submissions to EPA and other issues, please contact Nick Mangus at the phone number or email listed on the Exchange Network website.