Exceptional Events Submission and	I Q
Tracking System
PRO^&
How to Submit Exceptional Events Processes and Mitigation
Plans
The Plan Collection Interface (PCI) is a platform for state and local air agencies to submit exceptional
events processes and mitigation plans to EPA for review. Through the PCI, users can create draft and
final submission forms and upload any accompanying files with the submission. After a submission is
signed, it is delivered to EPA for further action. This job aide explains how to create, prepare, and sut
exceptional events process and mitigation plan forms to EPA.
Contents
Exceptional Events Process
•	Creating and Preparing the Form
•	Submitting the Exceptional Events Documents
Mitigation Plan
•	Creating and Preparing the Form
•	Submitting the Mitigation Plan
Updating an Existing Process or Plan Form
Support
Key Terms
Initial Notification - Formal and/or informal conversations/communications between an air
agency and the EPA regarding an air agency's intent to request exclusion of specific, measured
exceedances of an applicable NAAQS that were potentially caused by an exceptional event, and
whether these data are ripe for inclusion and submission in an exceptional events demonstration.
Draft Demonstration - Preliminary documentation supporting data exclusion submitted by an air
agency to the EPA that addresses the exceptional events demonstration criteria and the schedule
and procedural requirements in the 2016 Exceptional Events Rule. This may be an iterative
document(s) shared with EPA with the intent of seeking feedback.
Final Demonstration - Final documentation supporting data exclusion submitted by an air agency
to the EPA that addresses the exceptional events demonstration criteria and the schedule and
procedural requirements in the 2016 Exceptional Events Rule.
Processes - Submitted documentation that supports exceptional events demonstrations through
submission to EPA via the Exceptional Events Submission and Tracking System—this includes initial
notifications and draft and final demonstrations.
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Exceptional Events Process
Follow the steps below to create a new initial notification, draft demonstration, or final demonstration
submission form
Creating and Preparing the Form
1. On the Exceptional Events Submission and Tracking state landing page, click on the 'Create New
Exceptional Event Process' button above the Documents/Forms Not Yet Submitted table (see
Figure 1).
Figure 1: Exceptional Events Landing Page
v>EPA.
xl Slates Environmental Protection Aq««icv
Home Return To CDX Contact Us
SPeCS for Exceptional Events
Virginia
Hello, Tyler Brewer - Preparer - State Agency
Welcome to the Exceptional Events system supporting the 2016 Exceptional Events Rule. This application site is provided by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
Create New Exceptional Event Process I Create New Mitigation Plan
Documents/Forms Not Yet Submitted
2. Click 'OK' to confirm that the Exceptional Events Process is a new submission and has not
already been created (see Figure 2).
a. IMPORTANT: Verify that there is not an existing process before creating a new process.
If a draft process is already in progress, click "Cancel" and select the process from the
"Document/Forms Not Yet Submitted" table. See the Updating an Existing Process or
Plan section for further details.
Figure 2: Confirm New Exceptional Events Process or Mitigation Plan
Please Note: By clicking OK, you will be creating a new
Exceptional Event Process or Mitigation Plan. If it is an Exceptional
Event Process ID or Mitigation Plan ID has already been
created/submitted, please click Cancel and select the Add New
Document/Form button associated with the Exceptional Event
Process or Mitigation Plan in the Created/Submitted Processes
table shown below.
Cancel I OK
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Exceptional Events Submission and
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3. On the Exceptional Events Form page, begin by selecting the submission type (Initial
Notification, Draft Demonstration, or Final Demonstration) from the dropdown menu (see
a. Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk(*) are required.
4.	Fill out point of contact information including name, email, and phone number.
5.	In the "Exceptional Events Information" section, enter the event name, type, and location.
a. Note: Click on the blue question mark(?) for helpful tips.
Submission Information
Submission Type *
Point of Contact Information
Name *
Email *
Phone Number *
Exceptional Event Information
Event Name * O
Event Type *
Event Location O
6.	Next, select the affected state, counties, applicable NAAQS, and any regulatory decision(s) from
the dropdown menus (see Figure 4).
7.	If applicable, describe which of the selected regulatory decision(s) affect the NAAQS by typing in
the textbox.
8.	Select a start and end date for the exceptional event by using the calendar picker feature.
9.	Type in the AQS monitor ID number and select the design value period associated with the
regulatory decision(s).
Figure 3).
Figure 3: Exceptional Events Form
Submitting Agency:
State:
Event Process ID:
Region:
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Figure 4: Exceptional Events Form (Part 2)
Affected State *

Affected Counties *

Select option

Applicable NAAQS *

Select option
-
Affected Regulatory Decision(s) *

Select option

If applicable, please describe which of the selected Affected Regulatory Decision(s) affect the selected NAAQS. Q
Event Start Date *
EH) No date selected
Event End Date *
m No date selected
AQS Monitor ID Number(s) *
Design Value Period Associated with Affected Regulatory Decision(s)
10.	While filling out the form, click on the "Save" button to save your progress or "Save and Exit" to
continue the form at another time (see Figure 5).
11.	Once the form is completed, click the green "Save and Continue" button to proceed to the file
upload page.
Figure 5: Navigation Buttons
12.	On the file upload page, click on the blue "Select" button to browse for files or drag them into
the gray box labeled "Drop files anywhere to upload" (see Figure 6).
13.	Provide a description of the file once it has been selected.
14.	Click the red "Remove" button to remove any unwanted files before clicking the green "Start
Upload" button to add all files.
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Exceptional Events Submission and
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Figure 6: File Upload Page
Confidential Business Information (CBI) cannot be submitted through this application. Please contact your EPA Regional Point of Contact if you
would like to submit CBI.
Allowed file extensions: gif, jpg, png, txt, rft, html, doc, docx, odf, pdf, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, csv, zip
Maximum upload size (per file): 200MB
Previous
Cancel and Exit
Save for Signature
Save and Exit
Submitting the Exceptional Events Documents
15. Once the files have been uploaded:
a.	Preparers: Click the green "Save for Signature" button to save the form. The form is now
ready for signature by the certifier.
b.	Certifiers: Click the green "Save for Signature" button to save the form OR click the
green "Sign" button if the plan is ready for submission. This will pull up a window with
the eSignature Widget. Fill out the "Authentication" and "Verification" steps before
clicking the green "Sign" button to complete the signing process and submit the event
form to EPA (see Figure 7).
Figure 7: eSignature Widget
eSignature Widget
1. Authentication
Log into CDX
User:
TYBREWER
Password:
Show Password D
Welcome Tyler Brewer
2. Verification
Question:
What is your favorite song?
Answer:
Show Answer O
Correct Answer
3. Sign File
sign
16. Verify that the plan is now visible under the "Created/Submitted Processes" table on the PCI
landing page with a status of "Submission Received." A notification email should be received
shortly after submitting the plan (see Figure 8).
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Figure 8: Created/Submitted Processes Table
Documents/Forms Not Yet Submitted
Action Submission Type Event Process ID /Mit
Draft Demonstration EEFIDG10
Her page 10 i
igation Plan ID
Event Type
rc - Chem. Spills & Ind jst Accidents
Applicable NAAQS / Po!Uitant(s)
3-Hour Ozone [2003 Standard]

Last Modified
07-09-2020
1
ICreated/Submitted Processes
1 Action Event Piocess ID / Mitigation Plan ID
Event Type
Applicable NAAQS / Pollu tant(s)
Latest Submission Type Latest Submis
sion Status

| Add New Document/Form
i J - C'januj AIIl" a Maji
x Disaster PM-2.5 (2006 SUrkJatdj'
Diall Domoiistialiun Submission Ru
.wed
07-10-2020
Per page 10 s





Mitigation Plan
Creating and Preparing the Form
1. On the Exceptional Events Submission and Tracking state landing page, click on the 'Create New
Mitigation Plan' button above the Documents/Forms Not Yet Submitted table (see Figure 9).
Figure 9: Exceptional Events Landing Page
SEPA
litod Slim Environmental Protection Agency
Home Return To CDX Contact Us
SPeCS for Exceptional Events
Virginia
Hello, Tyler Brewer - Preparer - State Agency
Welcome to the Exceptional Events system supporting the 2016 Exceptional Events Rule. This application site is provided by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
Create New Exceptional Event Process I I Create New Mitigation Plan
Documents/Forms Not Yet Submitted
2. Click 'OK' to confirm that the Mitigation Plan is a new submission and has not already been
created (see Figure 10).
a. IMPORTANT: Verify that there is not an existing plan before creating a new plan If a
draft plan is already in progress, click "Cancel" and select the plan from the
"Document/Forms Not Yet Submitted" table. See the Updating an Existing Process or
Plan section for further details.
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Exceptional Events Submission and
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Figure 10: Confirm New Exceptional Events Process or Mitigation Plan
x
Please Note: By clicking OK, you will be creating a new
Exceptional Event Process or Mitigation Plan. If an Exceptional
Event Process ID or Mitigation Plan ID has already been
created/submitted, please click Cancel and select the Add New
Document/Form button associated with the Exceptional Event
Process or Mitigation Plan in the Created/Submitted Processes
table shown below.
Cancel I OK
3.	On the Mitigation Plan Form page, begin by selecting the submission type (Draft or Final
Mitigation Plan) from the dropdown menu (see Figure 11).
a. Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk are required.
4.	Fill out point of contact information including name, email, and phone number.
Figure 11: Mitigation Plan Form
Submitting
Event Process ID:
Agency:

State:
Region:
Submission Information
Submission Type *
Select option
Point of Contact Information
Name *
Email *
Phone Number *
5.	In the "Mitigation Plan Information" section, select the pollutant(s) and event type(s) addressed
from the dropdown menu (see Figure 12).
6.	Provide a description of the area addressed by the mitigation plan.
b. Note: Click on the blue question mark for helpful tips.
7.	Next, selected the affected states and counties from the dropdown menus.
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Figure 12: Mitigation Plan Form (Part 2)
Mitigation Plan Information
Pollutant(s) Addressed *
Select option
Event Type(s) Addressed *
Select option
Description of Area Addressed By Mitigation Plan ©
Affected State *
Select option
Counties Addressed By Mitigation Plan *
Select option
8.	While filling out the form, click on the "Save" button to save your progress or "Save and Exit" to
continue the form at another time (see Figure 13).
9.	Once the form is completed, click the green "Save and Continue" button to proceed to the file
upload page.
Figure 13: Navigation Buttons
Previous
Cancel and Exit
Save
Save and Continue
Save and Exit
10.	On the file upload page, click on the blue "Select" button to browse for files or drag them into
the gray box labeled "Drop files anywhere to upload" (see Figure 14).
11.	Provide a description of the file and select an associated category from the dropdown menu.
12.	Click the red "Remove" button to remove any unwanted files before clicking the green "Start
Upload" button to add all files.
CDYc
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Figure 14: File Upload Page
Confidential Business Information (CBI) cannot be submitted through this application. Please contact your EPA Regional Point of Contact if you
would like to submit CBI.
Name	Status
Annotatior^^^^^^^0460^na
Description
Please select a Category
Select I Start Upload
Allowed file extensions: gif, jpg, png, txt, rft, html, doc, docx, odf, pdf, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, csv, zip
Maximum upload size (per file): 200MB
Previous
Cancel and Exit
Save for Signature
Save and Exit
Submitting the Mitigation Plan
13. Once the files have been uploaded
a.	Preparers: Click the green "Save for Signature" button to save the form. The form is now
ready for signature by the certifier.
b.	Certifiers: Click the green "Save for Signature" button to save the form OR click the
green "Sign" button if the plan is ready for submission. This will pull up a window with
the eSignature Widget. Fill out the "Authentication" and "Verification" steps before
clicking the green "Sign" button to complete the signing process and submit the plan to
EPA (see Figure 14).
eSignature Widget
Figure 15: eSignature Widget
1. Authentication
Log into CDX
User:
TYBREWER
2. Verification
Question:
What is your favorite song?
Answer:
3. Sign File
San
Show Password I
Welcome Tyler Brewer
Show Answer ~
Correct Answer
14. Verify that the plan is now visible under the "Created/Submitted Processes" table on the PCI
landing page with a status of "Submission Received." A notification email should be received
shortly after submitting the plan (see Figure 16).
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Exceptional Events Submission and
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Figure 16: Created/Submitted Processes Table
Documents/Forms Not Yet Submitted
Action	Submission Type
Draft Demonstratio
Event Process ID / Mitigation Plan ID
EEPIDG10
Applicable NAAQS / Pollutant(s)
8-Hour Ozone 12008 Steidardl
Last Modified
07-09-2020
Created/Submitted Processes
Event Process ID / Mitigation Plan ID	Event Type
EEPID6S0	rd - Cleanup Alloi a Major Disa
Applicable NAAQS / Pc
PM-2.5 (2006 Standard;
Latest Submission Status
Latest Submission Dat<
07-10-2020
Updating an Existing Process or Plan Form
Once an exceptional events process or mitigation plan has been submitted, users can add supplemental
documentation or revise information, if needed.
1. In the "Created/Submitted Processes" table, click the blue "Add New Document/Form" button
next to the submission that you would like to edit or supplement (Figure 17).
Figure 17: Add New Document to Existing Process
Created/Submitted Processes
m
Event Process ID / Mitigation Plan ID	Event Type
EEPIDCS0	rd - Cleanuo After a Major Disa
Applicable NAAQS / Pollutants)
PM-2.5 (2006 Standard)
Latest Submission Type
st Submission Status
nission Received
st Submission Dat.
If the submission type has changed since the form was first submitted, select the new
submission type from the dropdown menu at the top of the page (see Figure 18).
a. For example, an existing event process submitted as an "Initial Notification" can be
updated to a "Draft Demonstration" or "Final Demonstration."
Figure 18: Changing Submission Type
Submission Information
Submission Type *
Select option
| Initial Notification
Press enter to

Draft Demonstration


Final Demonstration


Name
Tyler Brewer
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3. Make any additional edits on the form itself before clicking the green "Save and Continue"
button at the bottom of the page (see Figure 19).
Figure 19: Edit and Update Form Information
If applicable, please describe which of the selected Affected Regulatory Decision(s) affect the selected NAAQS. O
~
Event Start Date *
m Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Event End Date *
GOD Friday, July 17, 2020
AQS Monitor ID Number(s) *
6
Design Value Period Associated with Affected Regulatory Decision(s)
Save and Exit
4.	On the file upload page, click on the blue "Select" button to browse for supplemental files.
Provide a description of the file once it has been selected (see Figure 20).
5.	Click the red "Remove" button to remove any unwanted files before clicking the green "Start
Upload" button to add all files.
Figure 20: File Upload Page
Confidential Business Information (CBI) cannot be submitted through this application. Please contact your EPA Regional Point of Contact if you
would like to submit CBI.
Cancel and Exit
[ Save ]
Start Upload
Allowed file extensions: gif, jpg, png, txt, rft, html, doc, docx, odf, pdf, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, csv, zip
Maximum upload size (per file): 200MB
Previous
Cancel and Exit
Save
Save for Signature
Save and Exit
6. Once all necessary updates have been made, click the green "Save for Signature" button to
submit. See the Submitting the Exceptional Events Documents or Submitting the Mitigation Plan
sections for more detailed instructions.
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Support
If you have any questions related to preparing and submitting Exceptional Event plans, please contact
Denise Scott at scott.denise@epa.gov. Questions related to the CDX platform and its functionality
should be directed to the CDX Help Desk at helpdesk@epadesk.net.
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