TCEQ’SState of Texas Environmental Electronic

Reporting System (STEERS)and ePermits

AUTUMN ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE AND EXPOOCTOBER 10 - 11, 2018

RADHIKA ADURI, IT SPECIALISTS TEAMWATER QUALITY DIVISION

OVERVIEWSTEERS and ePermits

How to create STEERS account

ePermits - Permit Application Structure and NOI Process

Best Practices

Questions ?

What is STEERS.? State of Texas Environmental Electronic Reporting System (STEERS) is a vehicle to collect data

electronically

STEERS provides a common framework and security for multiple agency programs that enable the regulated community to submit reports, permits, and registrations electronically.

Online application tool for public to be able to submit permit requests for various program types to TCEQ.

TCEQ created the ePermits system to automate the process of creating and managing authorizations, registrations and permits.

For some transactions, TCEQ in turn reviews when needed these general permit applications and processes them accordingly.

ePermitting

eReportingView Submissions

RegistrationsMiscellaneous

S TE E

RS

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What is STEERS.?

ER001234

ePermits System Rationale Two Fold:

Internally – to allow TCEQ staff to create and maintain electronic applications. Clean and synchronized data in databases. More time is required on customer service to assist customers using ePermits. Ideal to electronically transfer permit data to EPA’s ICIS database.

Externally – to allow customers to select, complete, and submit an electronic application.

Less time, effort and cost, flexibility.

Electronic Application Fee is less than the paper application, online payment Easy fill out process , instant approvals and share applications.

TCEQ processes thousands of registrations and permit applications yearly.

Why Was It Developed…? Federal Electronic Reporting Rule and General Permits - The following general permits

require applicants to submit applications via ePermits. Concrete Batch Plant Stormwater Industrial and Construction General Permits

100% electronic via ePermits

Data in ICIS – Later this year.

With ePermits in place, as of now: TCEQ has received and processed electronically:

12500 Construction General Permits (since last issued 03/05/2018) 8700 Multi-Sector General Permits (since last issued 08/14/2016) 900 Aggregate Production Operations (in the last year) 575 Concrete Batch Plants (since last issued 11/07/2016)

What Programs/Applications are in ePermits ? Water Quality Division electronic permits/registrations

Aggregate Production Operation Registrations Construction General Permit TXR150000 Multi-Sector General Permit TXR050000 CAFO General Permit TXG920000 Pesticide General Permit TXG870000 Concrete Batch General Permit TXG110000

Applications for various permitting needs: Create New Authorizations - NOIs Modify Existing Authorizations – NOCs Renew Authorizations - NORs Terminate Authorizations - NOTs Share/Access In-Progress Authorizations View Application documents and submissions– including Certificates and Letters.

ePermitting

eReporting

Registrations

View Submissions

• eDMR• EBT• IHW• MSW• P2PLAN• PDW• TIER II Govt Official• TIER II Reporting• TROLS

EXTERNALCreate New Authorizations - NOIsModify Existing Authorizations – NOCsRenew Authorizations - NORsTerminate Authorizations - NOTs

INTERNAL (For TCEQ purposes)Review applications.Process applications.

APOREG- NewAPOREG-MODAPOREG-CANAPOREG-REN

• Share/Access In-Progress Authorizations

• View Application documents and submissions

• Certificates and Letters.

Welcome to STEERS https://www3.tceq.texas.gov/steers/

Step 1: For new users, creating a STEERS account is the first step in submitting an online permit application. Accounts are created for the individual user, and not for a facility or entity.

Each STEERS account must have a unique e-mail address. Duplicates checks are done for both the email address and last name.

Applicant information like names, address, company email and phone number are asked to create a new account.

All STEERS user accounts are renewable every 2 years. Can update if change in your personal account information, or modify your program area access.

Add the program of interest from the list of ePermits/Registrations or eReporting programs that STEERS houses.

Creating a New STEERS Account

New Account - Applicant Information

New Account – Add Program Type

New Account - Set Access Type

Access Type - Roles Step 3: Next, you will select your role and define the type of access you will have to prepare this

authorization.

Your access options are:

Read Only - view only. You will only be able to view submitted applications. You will not be able to see applications in progress.

Edit – view, create, delete, modify and pay. You cannot sign for or submit this application.

Preparer – view, create, delete, modify, pay and submit. You cannot sign for this application.

Sign and Submit – view, create, delete, modify, pay, sign and submit.

Select the appropriate relationship and authorization statement.

Options Based on Access Type

STEERS Participation Agreement (SPA)

Electronically Signing SPA

STEERS Account Set up Complete

STEERS AccountER001234

Added Stormwater General Permit Program

Signed e-SPA

Now Ready to Create an Electronic Application

Preparing a Notice of Intent- NOISelect Program Area

Preparing a Notice of Intent - NOIChoose FILL OUT

Preparing Notice of Intent - NOICreate Application

CREATE

Application Created – Reference Number

ACCESS Application

Application Security Section

Choose Site Information (Regulated Entity)CREATE FILL OUT

Site Information (Regulated Entity) Details

CREATE FILL OUT

Site Information (Regulated Entity) Details..CREATE FILL OUT

Choose Customer (Applicant Information) CREATE FILL OUT

Customer (Applicant Information) Details

CREATE FILL OUT

Application ContactCREATE FILL OUT

General CharacteristicsCREATE FILL OUT

Activities Page

Signature PageCREATE FILL OUT SIGN

PAYMENT via ePayCREATE FILL OUT SIGN PAY

ePay – Payment TypesElectronic Check (ACH) Credit Card

Submit ApplicationCREATE FILL OUT SIGN PAY SUBMIT

Submission CompleteCREATE FILL OUT SIGN PAY SUBMIT

PERMIT APPLICATION STRUCTUREAggregate Production Operations

Concrete Batch Plant

SW-Industrial Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation(CAFO)

APO Maps

OutfallsSW/CBP

PMAs/LMUs/RCS

Proposed changes

Reason For Termination

Pesticides

Permit Application Process Complete

CREATE FILL OUT SIGN PAY SUBMIT

REVIEW PROCESS

INSTANT APPROVALS

NO FEE NOC/MODIFICATIONS

ER001234CNOI TXR151234

Access Permit

CNOI Certificate

Notice of Intent (CNOI) Approval Letter

Copy of Records

End of Permit Process

Inside STEERS - Submissions

Inside STEERS – Submissions Results

Inside STEERS – Activities

Best Practices Make sure you provide valid email addresses .

Please do not ignore Automated STEERS email messages. Promptly respond to requests for additional information. Customers have paid the application and have not submitted.

STEERS archives the applications as part of the STEERS system maintenance.

Reminders during general permit renewal time.

Check respective webpages and STEERS News items for information.

Make sure proper statutory authorities are set while creating the account. Sign and Submit.

Best Practices… When filing for an NOI, always make sure you search to for Site/Regulated entity

and Customer before creating new data.

Report to TCEQ immediately through Core Data Form, if the CN name is changed with SOS or CPA.

During renewal time 90 days is given for the customers to renew and it is strongly suggested to renew at the earliest.

Authorization will be set to “Expired” by TCEQ , if its not renewed during the renewal period.

Pending applications are set to “Archived” status (when not renewed on time, or during major system releases), which means you can just view it.

ePermits Step-by-Step Assistance Hands on assistance available to walk you through the ePermits

system • How to create a STEERS account.• How to complete the NOI, pay using ePay, and submit for approval.• Hands on assistance with laptops for individual use in

meeting room 4.

By: Kim Nguyen, Radhika Aduri, WQ Division staff; SBLGA staff

Questions

ContactSTEERS Questions

512-239-6925 steers@tceq.texas.gov

Stormwater Processing Center (CGP & MSGP)512-239-3700

SWPermit@tceq.texas.gov

Applications and Review Team (APO, TXG11, CAFO, PEST) 512-239-4671

WQ-ARPTeam@tceq.texas.gov