CERS NextGen Project
CUPA Connection Newsletter
May 2025 Edition
A Word From the CERS NextGen Leadership Team
Greetings CUPA CERS Users –
The California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) has been in use for many years and has served us well. However, the technology underpinning our existing CERS platform is nearing end-of-life, necessitating a comprehensive technological upgrade.
To address this challenge, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has been working on a new system development project called CERS Next Generation (NextGen). The new system will be designed to transition our existing CERS users to a cloud-based solution that will provide a modern user interface and streamline operations, aligning with the overarching goals of the Unified Program.
The CERS NextGen Project Team and I are committed to providing transparent communication to keep you engaged and informed and will be collaborating with you to prepare for the transition to the next generation of CERS in 2027.
Jason Boetzer,
CERS NextGen Project Sponsor
Deputy Secretary for Emergency Response & Local Programs – Unified Program
CERS NextGen Project Timeline
The CERS NextGen project officially started in 2024 and will be completed in two phases.
- Phase 1 – Full “Submittal” to “Acceptance” workflow for Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
- Phase 2 – All remaining programs and functionality
Businesses are not required to transition to CERS NextGen until after Phase 2 completion in January 2027. In the meantime, we will continue presenting Townhall meetings and publishing newsletters targeted separately for CUPAs and businesses.
Future newsletters will expand on the exciting new features of CERS as these two phases progress. Townhall meetings and other forums are a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about preparing for CERS NextGen. Please be sure to keep your CERS contact information current so we can share important information with you.
Changes are Coming with CERS NextGen
We are implementing numerous changes as we transition to the next generation of CERS. These enhancements are designed to improve usability, ensure data accuracy, and address many of the known issues within the current system. Below, we highlight a few of these.
We will expand on these topics in future editions of this CUPA Connection newsletter.
New Features
CERS Data Download
To support the January 2027 transition to the next generation of CERS, CalEPA will migrate seven years of data, which aligns with CalEPA’s data retention policies.
Many CUPAs have additional years of data stored in CERS3 that they may wish to archive their data locally. CUPAs have the ability to start pulling down their data from CERS by utilizing the Electronic Data Transfer (EDT) Tier 2 services. More information is available at: https://cers.calepa.ca.gov/edt/.
CUPAs are encouraged to start archiving data as soon as possible to avoid having a large amount of data to pull as we near the rollout of CERS NextGen and CERS3 will transition to maintenance mode.
Some important considerations for CUPAs when pulling data from CERS via EDT are:
- Large data downloads may impact system performance. Be mindful of our service agreement and avoid large data pulls that could potentially disrupt overall system performance.
- Downloads can be limited by date range, but for larger CUPAs, this may still impact service due to data volume.
- CUPAs may opt to download both data and files. This will require careful planning to help ensure efficient delivery, especially when handling large volumes.
- Apply parameters to downloads to limit the data pool size.
- Start with CERS IDs for “closed” facilities as they are less likely to be further updated.
For CUPAs that do not have access to EDT or do not have the technical expertise to download data themselves, the CERS NextGen Project will provide support on a case-by-case basis depending upon the need.
Look for future townhalls, newsletter articles, and website postings for more information. Please send questions about this topic, or the project in general to: CERSNextgen@calepa.ca.gov
Preparing for CERS NextGen – Electronic Data Transfer (EDT)
The next generation of CERS includes a modernized Electronic Data Transfer (EDT) framework to align with CERS NextGen data structure and to improve API security. The updated EDT framework will likely require some changes to existing systems to continue successfully exchanging data with CERS. Our goal is to provide information needed to facilitate a smooth transition to the new system in January 2027. This article introduces some of the forthcoming changes and events, and information to help you plan for the new system.
EDT Framework Changes in the Next Generation of CERS
Some changes in the new system are in response to your enhancement requests. Due to policy decisions, certain endpoints will be retired. The next generation of CERS is being developed in two phases. EDT documentation will be released as these phases progress.
Phase 1 includes all functionality and data models related to Underground Storage Tanks (USTs). EDT documents and endpoints for testing will be available at a later date.
Phase 2 begins in early 2026, work to gradually add the remaining programs: Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP), Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA), California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP), Hazardous Waste Generator (HW), and Hazardous Materials Reporting Requirement (HMRRP). EDT documentation and endpoints will also be updated to reflect the progress.
Stay Informed!
In the coming months you will receive more communication and technical support for this effort. There are many ways to learn more.
REGISTER for the CERS NextGen EDT Webinar on May 30, 2025
This first EDT webinar is intended for CUPAs and their technical staff only. Non-government representatives will receive information in separate forums.
COMPLETE the EDT and Technology Survey
If your CUPA or PA has not completed the survey, please do so. We need your help to make sure we have current contact information for important EDT events, training sessions, communication and other CERS NextGen Project needs.
READ Project Newsletters and Emails
We regularly publish information about the CERS NextGen Project and what it means for you. Please review these communications and reach out to the Project Team with questions at: cersnextgen@calepa.ca.gov.
CERS NextGen EDT Webinar
Friday, May 30, 2025
10a.m. to noon
All CUPA technical staff members are invited to attend
Non-government representatives will receive information in separate forums
Complete the EDT and Technology Survey!
There is still time to contribute to our progress by taking the EDT and Technology Survey, if you haven’t already.
Hazardous Materials Inventory Mixture Library Workgroup
Reporting accurate Hazardous Materials Inventory (HMI) is an important component of compliance. One enhancement to the new CERS is a separate Mixtures Library. This article highlights changes and invites CUPA representatives to participate in a dedicated working group to help define a new Mixtures Library.
As we transition to the new system, businesses must recreate and upload their inventory of mixtures from scratch, so the Mixtures Library will act as a helpful tool to promote standardized, accurate data and avoid duplicates.
Although data requirements for the Chemical Inventory are not changing, new automated quality control checks will enforce stricter adherence to data entry requirements, to help improve data quality and reduce missing information.
The next generation of CERS supports Chemical Inventory reporting with features that include:
- Chemical Library – The top 500 chemicals from the current CERS database updated with chemical name, common name, CAS number, Federal hazard categories, and fire code classifications (as applicable).
- Mixtures Library – A set of frequently used mixtures.
- Validation rules – For chemicals and mixtures, the system will automatically validate the CAS number and chemical name against a trusted CAS database. Hazardous wastes do not have CAS numbers, but the system will include Hazardous Waste Codes to assist with data entry.
- Mandatory fields – The system will prevent submission unless all mandatory data fields are populated and validated.
HMI Mixture Library Workgroup – Call for Participants
CUPAs are invited to join the recently formed Mixtures Library Workgroup to help define:
- Which mixtures to include in the library
- Further actions to ease the transition
CUPA representatives will conduct analysis and review to make sure the final library meets business needs and compliance standards.
How to get involved
Register for the next Hazardous Materials Inventory Mixture Library Workgroup meeting by writing to the CERS NextGen Project email box at cersnextgen@calepa.ca.gov.
Upcoming CERS NextGen CUPA Townhall Meeting
Thursday, May 29, 2025, 10 a.m. to noon
Join us to learn about the CERS NextGen Project
What topics would you like covered in the next CUPA Connection Newsletter?
Email us at cersnextgen@calepa.ca.gov to provide your ideas and feedback.