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General Definitions

Central Registry (CR) - A TCEQ database application that collects and maintains core data, across program areas. Core data includes such information as name, address, and telephone number for customers and regulated entities. You can search the TCEQ Central Registry at https://www15.tceq.texas.gov/crpub/

Customer - A business, governmental body, association, individual, or other entity that owns, operates, is responsible for, or is affiliated with a regulated entity.

Customer Reference Number (CN) - 11-digit unique number generated by the Central Registry for all customers. It starts with CN and is followed by 9 numbers.

Data Sources - There are multiple places where data may reside. The data may already be official data with the TCEQ, pending data in your user work area only, or data that has been submitted by you but not yet processed by the TCEQ. Data may also be marked as valid or error.

Official Data - This is data that has been previously submitted to the TCEQ and was pulled from one of the official TCEQ databases. This data is read-only and always available to the customer to view. When the customer wants to modify it, a copy of the data is put into the customer's work area.

Submitted Data - This is data that has been officially submitted to the TCEQ by the customer, but not yet processed and put in the official TCEQ database. Because it has been submitted, it cannot be changed. It is inaccessible, like a completed form put in the mail. Once it is in the TCEQ database, it will be displayed as Official Data, which may then be modified.

Work Area Data - This is data that is in the customer's work area. It is considered a "work in progress." Only customers that started a form may view or modify this data. It is not considered submitted and therefore the TCEQ will not use it. You make your data in the work area available to the TCEQ by "Submitting" it.

Program Area - Environmental regulatory subject. SUNSS is divided into separate "modules" which correspond to TCEQ programs. Users must select a program area form in order to access specific reporting areas.

Program Area ID - an ID that identifies a program area's site, registration, facility, or regulated entity. These are created when data is submitted to TCEQ.

Regulated Entity - person, organization, place, or thing that is of environmental interest to the TCEQ, where regulatory activities of interest to us occur or have occurred in the past.

Regulated Entity Reference Number (RN) - 11-digit unique number generated by the Central Registry for all regulated entities. It starts with RN and is followed by 9 numbers.

Work Area - The work area is where your pending, valid and submitted forms are stored. Once your submitted forms are loaded into the main TCEQ database they are removed from the work area.