# Presentation: 118947

## The Air Quality Data Exchange (AQDE)

- An exciting new project and what it means to the AIRNow Program

## AQDE – What is it?

- Air Quality Data Exchange pilot
- New Jersey, New York, Delaware partnership
- Designed to allow free flow of real-time air quality information, both state-to-state and state-to-AIRNow
- Uses standardized schema and EPA’s National Environmental Information Exchange Network (NEIEN) and Central Data Exchange (CDX)

## Acronym Frenzy...

- XML – eXtensible Markup Language
- Human and machine readable standardized language for transferring data
- NEIEN – National Environmental Information Exchange Network
- A sort of “intranet” designed to exchange data between EPA and its partners
- CDX – Central Data Exchange
- EPA’s “node” on the NEIEN

## The basic idea behind NEIEN and CDX

- An analogy:
- Credit cards
- All cards have a magnetic strip with an agreed-upon “schema” for storing your info
- Stores grab that info with card readers
- It all works because the standards are used by everyone in the industry, plus almost every store plugs into the credit card processing network

## The basic idea behind NEIEN and CDX

- NEIEN is EPA’s data exchange network
- To join, you must meet the standards for configuration and pass data with an approved schema
- CDX is EPA’s “loading dock”, where data can be dropped off, or loaded onto, the network

## Why?

- Eliminates custom data flows and formats between States and EPA
- Provides immense opportunities for automation
- Allows data sharing between States and with any entity that is on the network
- Standardizes the approach

## AQDE and AIRNow

- AQDE began as a pilot to share data between NJ, NY, and DE; and to share with EPA via CDX
- The AQS system was the target, so their XML schema was chosen
- AQDE contacted AIRNow about using that same schema to deliver to AIRNow
- We piloted this approach last summer

## AQDE and AIRNow

- STI reviewed the AQS schema and adopted necessary elements to allow for real-time transfers
- STI set up a node on the NEIEN
- A pilot transfer was completed

## Sounds simple.  It is!

- It’s a simple concept with far-reaching implications:
- Same schema for AQS and AIRNow
- Non-proprietary alternative to OBS files, XML based for maximum portability
- By utilizing CDX positions AIRNow to use the same delivery mechanism as any other EPA data flow.

## A few remaining issues

- AIRNow and AQS
- The XML schema makes integration possible, but with different levels of QA; different regulatory requirements; how do we integrate the two, if we do?
- AIRNow Production Node
- Currently supporting the AQDE pilot, money is in place to move to national production, but what will that mean?

## A few remaining issues

- Transition
- We can’t stop supporting the old FTP and OBS file method overnight
- Funding
- Will these save States money, or cost them?
- Will it raise the O&M costs for AIRNow?

## A few remaining issues, but a ton of promise

**At the DMC**
- Allows for automation of submission and auto-recovery when file transfer fails.
- Data submission via node has recovery mechanism built in.  The success or failure of submission can be detected and system can be programmed to automatically resend.
- AIRNow system can query state or agency nodes for backfill data.
- Allows states to update and backfill data in AIRNow database
- States can update AIRNow with QC’d data (before they may submit to AQS) and/or backfill missing data.  This can be automated.
- Allows AIRNow system to easily recover after any period of downtime.  AIRNow would query state systems for backfill data and would not require state staff time.  This can be automated.

## A few remaining issues, but a ton of promise

- For equipment and software vendors
- Provides a single schema and transfer mechanism that can be integrated into data acquisition platforms
- For AIRNow partners
- Allows for sharing of data between partners, without necessarily going through the DMC, e.g. AQDE

## Next Steps	

- Bring AIRNow node to production
- Market and test this new service outside of the AQDE pilot states
- Market the schema to equipment vendors
- Begin to explore how this may lead to interconnections between AQS and AIRNow