EPA/State Comparative Maps & Dashboards Home

The performance and trends area of ECHO focuses on environmental compliance and enforcement trends on a state and national level. Comparative maps provide a quick cross country look at key environmental compliance and enforcement indicators. The maps link to dashboards that provide details by state/territory.

Data shown in the EPA/ State Comparative Maps and Dashboards reflect current EPA required reporting and may not reflect the full state of noncompliance or activities in the regulated universe. State environmental agencies may have more information on noncompliance and activities within their state. Links to state agency websites are provided below each dashboard in the Other Resources box.

State performance is a complex and difficult matter to analyze and explain. Data alone cannot provide a complete picture of performance. Many states have issues with data completeness and accuracy, and without investigation and program knowledge, data can be misleading or misinterpreted. Often, there is important context around data that must be taken into account to provide an accurate picture. For example, not all activities and violations may be reported, some states are not authorized to run programs, current year data may still be in the process of being reported, and states may have alternative inspection plans. EPA uses data, like the information here, as a starting point for assessing state performance, but not as the sole measure of performance. More in-depth program reviews (see State Review Framework Reports) are used to identify needed state program improvements. While file reviews and management discussions can add to our understanding, the many layers of context and information make it difficult to portray performance in a consistent and transparent way.

On this page:

As described in more detail below, data for the most current year is not considered final. Fiscal year data typically is frozen in early March, at which point, year-to-date activities for the following fiscal year will be added. EPA will monitor comments and questions about the Maps and Dashboards and will continue making improvements. Any changes will be documented below.

Watch the February 2013 State Dashboard and Comparative Maps webinar.


 What's New

December 2013

Dashboard software upgrade (OBIEE 11.1.1.7.1) results in some performance improvements, including export options and support for more browsers.

March 2013

  • Download button added to the EPA/State Comparative Maps, which will put the map data in a spreadsheet.
  • 2012 data was frozen (data verified by states) and 2013 year-to-date data was added to Maps and Dashboards.
  • Caveats submitted by the states regarding 2012 data were added to the State Comments page.
  • EPA/State Dashboard and Comparative Maps webinar Exit added to ECHO
  • Several revisions made to Hazardous Waste dashboards to address user comments.

February 2013

First version of comparative maps and dashboards released.


 Known Problems

  • The EPA/State Dashboard "Export" option does not allow export into Excel 2007; the Excel 2003 option triggers an error message in newer versions of Excel, but clicking "Yes" allows the file to open. (posted 12/26/13)
  • Mozilla Firefox browser bug - "year" pick lists do not work. (posted 2/4/13)
  • "Fatal error" - after a period of inactivity, using the browser back button may result in a "fatal error." If this occurs, the user needs to re-load the page. Please note that to help address this error, the page automatically refreshes after a period of inactivity - when this occurs, all dashboard reports will return to their default settings. (posted 2/4/13)
  • Users may experience display problems based on the Internet browser and browser version used. If possible, users can try different browsers to mitigate problems.(posted 2/4/13)
    • Google Chrome (Version 23.0.1271.64m, 23.0.1271.91m) and Internet Explorer 7 - Examples of issues experienced during testing include:
      • Constant sign-in indicator
      • Secure Connection Failed
      • Unable to view page because of the authenticity of the received data could not be verified.
    • All Browsers:
      • Cannot communicate securely with peer: no common encryption algorithm(s) - In order to view the State Dashboards, a user needs to have the "use TLS 1.0" setting enabled in their browser. Protocols for enabling TLS 1.0 vary by browser. TLS 1.0 can be enabled in Internet Explorer by going to "Internet Options", clicking the "Advanced" tab, and checking the "use TLS 1.0" checkbox.
  • In a few places on the dashboards, when users hover their mouse over a chart until the cursor changes to a four-way drag control, they can drag the control down to cause all charts to display vertically. This is a known bug, which will be fixed when EPA moves to the new software version. (posted 2/4/13)

 Using the Maps and Dashboards

About the Data

-Data and time periods displayed

Generally, the current federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) and the four previous fiscal years are presented. Beginning with fiscal year 2011, EPA conducted a state data verification process, after which data were "frozen" to provide a stable dataset. Fiscal year 2012 data (and beyond) will be frozen when data verification efforts complete (typically in March of the following year). Any state comments regarding frozen data are posted on ECHO.

Production (live) data are subject to change as EPA's data systems are updated. The most recent fiscal year may not show a complete dataset because it has not yet been verified or the year is not completed. 

Due to the transition between CAA national data management systems, the EPA/State Air Dashboard has not been updated since January 31, 2015. EPA is reviewing options for displaying more recent data.

The ECHO website generally presents a five-year compliance and enforcement history. For older data, users may consider downloading full datasets. The Air and Hazardous Waste dashboards present universe counts starting with fiscal year 2011, because no method exists to replicate the historical counts of facilities.

-Optional data

Some measures, such as Water penalty amounts, display data that are not required to be reported to EPA. In these cases, the state environmental agency may have more information (links to state agency websites are provided below each dashboard in the Other Resources box). Detailed information about data reporting requirements is posted on ECHO. Users should not make overall conclusions about state performance for data fields that are not required to be entered.

-Map facility universes

On the comparative maps, the facility universe counts will not change for years that use production (live) data.

-Water - Major/Minor $ split for ICIS-NPDES

The national data system, ICIS-NPDES, doesn't split out separate penalties for different facilities covered by one action.

-Lag time for updating production (live) data

Although production data are updated every month, the lag time for data to become available on ECHO varies depending on the data system, activity, and negotiated reporting cycle. For example, an inherent lag time exists between the date an inspection is performed, the entry of the inspection into the state database, the uploading of data from the state to EPA, and the posting of data on the site. In some situations, data will enter the system quickly, in other circumstances the lag time may be 2-3 months.

-Aggregate versus drilldown facility lists

The aggregate values displayed on the charts and the counts of drilldown (facility list) values may not always be equal, because the drilldowns are using production (live) data and the aggregate charts use frozen data where available.

-Some charts on the Performance Dashboard do not have associated drilldowns (facility lists)

For related facility lists, please see comparable measures on the Activity Dashboard.

About the Comparative Maps

When a combination of criteria is selected where it is not appropriate and/or possible to display a percent value, a message is displayed that states "No map is available for your selected combination of options." We do not anticipate maps being available for these options.

About the Dashboards

There are options to choose the Activity View or the Performance View using the Dashboard View drop-down menu or the tabs within the reports box. To facilitate better navigation, use of the Dashboard View drop-down is recommended.

-"Apply" and "Reset" buttons 

The software used to create the dashboards provides a default option to select ("Apply") a chart from the dropdown lists and to return ("Reset") the chart to the original view. The Reset button is not working at this time. To return to the original chart, please select it from the dropdown list. These are not features that can be disabled.

-"Search" option at bottom of chart dropdown lists

The software used to create the dashboards provides a default option to search among the various chart options provided. This feature is useful for very long lists of charts. While it's not necessary for most of the dashboard sections, it is not a feature that can be disabled.

 
 
 
 
 

Possible Future Enhancements

  • All programs
    • Within the state/territory pop-up on the EPA/State Comparative Maps, identification of state/local agencies that implement an alternative compliance monitoring plan
    • Completion of missing dashboard "drilldowns" (e.g., facility lists)
    • Changes based on public comments
    • Better way to display when states/territories do not have enforcement authorization or delegation under the statute (e.g., Clean Air Act)
       
  • Air
    • Add information for all facilities (to include all "minor sources", not just those considered "federally reportable")
    • On the EPA/State Comparative Maps and Dashboards, add local control agencies distinct from the state in which they are located
       
  • Hazardous Waste
    • Add a map metric and a graph for Formal Enforcement Actions with Penalties (to include all formal enforcement actions, not just those recorded as "final" in the national data system)
    • Add to Performance Dashboard two-year operating TSDF coverage chart
    • Consider splitting out each RCRA facility universe on the maps
    • Consider adding conditionally exempt small quantity generators (CESQG) universe to dashboard "Facilities Regulated" section

Caveats

Activities: Data shown in the EPA/State Dashboards are based on data reported to EPA and may not reflect all compliance monitoring/inspections, enforcement or the full extent of noncompliance within a state. State environmental agencies may have more information on activities and noncompliance within their state on their agency websites. Links to state agency websites are provided below each EPA/State Dashboard.

Authorization: Some states/territories do not have authorization/delegation to enforce any or all regulations implemented under the CAA, CWA and RCRA. In these instances, when State is selected as the implementing Agency, it may appear that no activity was conducted. Activity in these states/territories may be displayed when EPA is selected as the implementing Agency. Where this occurs is:

Air: American Samoa, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
Hazardous Waste: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Iowa, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Water: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Idaho, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Puerto Rico

Current year: The most recent federal fiscal year may not show a complete dataset because it has not yet been verified or the year is not completed.