Data Exchange Opportunities—plain text format

Here are three “data exchange” opportunities that don’t require a schema, a Node, an FCD, or even any XML:

Share the load with Kurt and join me in the 21st century. If I can Blog, you can Wiki. We’d like to get updated and more complete information on network partners, and the Wiki is the easy way to do it—you get to write your own profile. The NPRG and support staff have already made templates on the Wiki based on what’s on the web site now. Just go to the Wiki and update your info. Then use it to find trading partners, or people you can borrow solutions from. When we get this up and running, maybe Kurt can take a break from calling you all and posting your info on the web. ps: Of course you can make stuff up for the Wiki—but you may be called on to do a presentation on it in Atlanta

Share your gripes with the NOB. Tomorrow, I’ll be on my way to a meeting of the Network Operations Board. Front and center on their agenda is how to clear the roadblocks that keep flow implementers from succeeding. We’ve often asked for your success stories (Keep ‘em coming, I love a good success story), but this time, we’d like to know what doesn’t work. Is there something about the Network or a particular flow that is awkward, hard to use, or just plain lame? Post a comment to this blog, by midnight Wednesday (April 1) and I’ll put it in front of the NOB. Then watch here for details on what will be done.

Last spring in Nashville, then EPA CIO Molly O’Neill talked about the buzz around Greenhouse Gas (GHG) data collection and management. She said it might be the “tipping point” issue for the Exchange Network. In case you don’t follow these things, EPA recently released it’s much-awaited GHG reporting rule. The rule contains a lot of different options (it’s over 500 pages, with another 500 of preamble to explain—in case you need a little bedtime reading). I won’t attempt to summarize even a little, except to say that it clearly recognizes that states, The Climate Registry, and EPA will all be collecting GHG data, and will need to share. It asks for comments within 60 days. There is no time like the present to check in with the people in your organization that are dealing with GHG data (believe me, you have them, even if you haven’t met). Find out what they think the rule means to them, and discuss their data exchange needs. If you or your future customers have expectations about how this should work, now is the time to get them on the table. In this case, use the Federal Docket process—I may respond to comments on the blog, but EPA will not!