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| TRI Comparative Analysis Tool- Query Help |
This Web page covers the basics of using the ECHO Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Comparative Analysis Tool. This tool allows you to compare a facility's self-reported emission statement (TRI) with its current EPA permit. This allows the user to determine whether a facility's self-reported emission statement is greater or less than the amount allowed by its EPA permit or facility designation. Information about terminology used in the queries is available in the data dictionary.
- Running Your TRI Comparative Analysis Search (Air)
- Running Your TRI Comparative Analysis Search (Water)
- Running Your TRI Comparative Analysis Search (Waste)
- Downloading Your Results File
- Importing Data Into Microsoft Excel
- Saving Your Newly Formatted File
Running Your TRI Comparative Analysis Search (AFS)
Proceed to the TRI Comparative Analysis home page. You are about to run your first query. In our example, we look at the first set of search functions, "AFS Information for Facilities with >10 tons of a Single HAP Release (TRI)."
Click on the area labeled "Query 1" to activate this search function. It is not strictly necessary to click on the white area, clicking anywhere on the title bar will activate the search.
Once you open the search function, you must set your search
parameters. In this example, we will set the following search criteria.
AFS Facility Designation: "Major"
State: "Montana"
This will return a list of all major facilities in Montana that reported to TRI greater than 10 tons of air releases for a single HAP. Please keep in mind that ECHO data are refreshed monthly, so results for a returned query can vary over time.
After you fill in your form, click on the green search button at the bottom of the form.
If you would prefer to see a video help file of this step, please see the Example Query Video Popup. You will need Flash to watch this video
Running Your TRI Comparative Analysis Search (NPDES)
Return to the TRI Comparative Analysis home page, select the "Water" tab at the top of the queries. You are ready to run your query. In our example, we look at the first set of search functions, "ICIS-NPDES information for TRI facilities reporting >0 pounds of direct water discharges."
Click on the area labeled "Query 1" to activate this search function. It is not strictly necessary to click on the white area, clicking anywhere on the title bar will activate the search.
Once you open the search function, you must set your search
parameters. In this example, we will set the following search criteria.
NPDES Permit Facility Designation: "Non-Major"
State: "Alaska"
This will return all non-major facilities in Alaska that reported to TRI greater than 0 pounds of direct water discharges. Please keep in mind that ECHO data are refreshed monthly, so results for a returned query can vary over time.
After you fill in your form, click on the green search button at the bottom of the form.
Running Your TRI Comparative Analysis Search (RCRA)
Return to the TRI Comparative Analysis home page, select the "Waste" tab at the top of the queries. You are ready to run your query. In our example, we look at the first set of search functions, "RCRAInfo information for TRI facilities reporting >0 lbs of shipments off-site."
Click on the area labeled "Query 1" to activate this search function. It is not strictly necessary to click on the white area, clicking anywhere on the title bar will activate the search.
Once you open the search function, you must set your search
parameters. In this example, we will set the following search criteria.
RCRA Facility Designation: "LQG"
State: "Alaska"
This will return a list of all Large Quantity Generator (LGQ) facilities in Alaska with greater than 0 pounds of off-site shipments. Please keep in mind that ECHO data are refreshed monthly, so results for a returned query can vary over time.
After you fill in your form, click on the green search button at the bottom of the form.
Downloading Your Results File
This query will return the results, with several returned facilities. To download the file to your computer, please click on the green download button.
Clicking on the download button will open a comma delimited text file in your internet browser. You will want to then save this to your computer as a text file. In Internet Explorer that will look like the following screen shot.
Importing Data Into Microsoft Excel
The next step is to format the data. You will need to use a spreadsheet program in order to do so. In our example we will use Microsoft Excel. Open Excel first (if you open the file directly you will not be able to set up the proper formatting). Once Excel is open, select "File" and then "Open", browse to your file and click on the open button. If your file does not appear, it is because the "Files of type:" selector is not set to "All Files". The image below indicates where to check for this.
Excel will now ask you how you want to format your data. On step one of the "Text Import Wizard" you want to make sure to select "Delimited", instead of "Fixed Width". Click next, and on step two, you want to set your delimiter. Deselect the option "Tab" and select "Comma" instead. After you make these two changes, select "Finish".
Saving Your Newly Formatted File as an Excel Spreadsheet
Now that you have your data formatted, you need to save it. Select "File" and then "Save As". In addition to specifying the file name, you will need to change the file extension from .txt to .xls. From the 'File Type' dropdown menu, choose 'Microsoft Office Excel Workbook(*.xls)'.