Planning Ahead: Upgraded California Environmental Reporting System Coming Out Soon

Out with the old and in with the new: the California Certified United Program Agency (CUPA) has announced that they are retiring the current California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) software because it will no longer be supported. CUPA plans to upgrade one regulatory program beginning in 2026 and to upgrade the remaining programs beginning in 2027 thanks to a grant that California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has received. In addition to the new software, called CERS NextGen, CUPA plans to add in some additional requirements that facilities will need to report. Facilities should start planning for additional effort while preparing their Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) and other CERS reports for 2026 and 2027.

Beginning in 2026: Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program Required to use NextGen

• Every UST will have its own profile and ID with the technical specifications.
• New fields will be required, including:
  • Sensor and Monitoring information
  • Designated Operating information
• The system has the capability for Veedor Root Monitoring System data to be uploaded.

Beginning in 2027: All CERS Reporting Programs Required to use NextGen

Starting in 2027, the rest of reporting programs utilizing CERS will be transitioned into the new software. CERS reporting programs include:

• HMBP
• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act Program (APSA)
• California Accidental Release Program (CalARP)

CUPA has not released any information on changes to the APSA and CalARP programs. However, with the new system, CUPA is implementing new requirements to the HMBP program, including but not limited to:

• Reporting by location (and not just by material) – multiple form entries will be required when a chemical is stored in multiple buildings at a facility.
• Reporting additional data fields (some were previously optional) –
  • Chemicals will require: name, CAS #, federal hazard category, and quantity.
  • Mixtures will require: common name, name of components, CAS # of components, federal hazard category, max weight percent by safety data sheet (SDS), and quantity.
  • Wastes will require: common name, California waste code, CAS # of components, and quantity.

Other Software Changes to Note:

• Every CERS user will be required to log in once per year to retain the account as part of an increased security routine.
• The Contingency Plan Template is being phased out and it will no longer be provided. The system will provide data entry fields into the system or allow a document that meets the requirements to be uploaded.
• Due dates will be visible in the system (previously they were not provided).
• Automatic reminder notifications will be provided (previously they were not provided).
• CERS ID will now be the owner and address specifics to reduce workload around new businesses.
• Return-to-Compliance activities will now be tracked in CERS.

How to Prepare:

• Evaluate which programs your facility uses in CERS.
• Allocate additional time ahead to prepare your report in the new software according to the deadlines.
• Evaluate and reorganize how the HBMP materials are reported by location.
• Evaluate what additional information you need to obtain from safety data sheets.
• Evaluate exporting data from CERS ahead of the transition. CUPA will be migrating seven years of data from the existing system over to CERS NextGen but also recommends verifying everything was migrated correctly.
• Review and update what users have access to your facility and establish a routine for deadline tracking and account management.
• Explore the CERS NextGen website to stay up to date on upcoming workshops and updates.

If you have any questions or would like help preparing or reporting in CERS, please reach out to Meredith Pedraza mpedraza@all4inc.com or Madison Jones at mjones@all4inc.com.