The facts on eFACTS

EFACTS is the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's online database. It uses geographic information system technology to bring together segregated DEP data so people can get complete information about any regulated facility. Users can run checks by name of facility or owner, or search all facilities in a given city or county. It allows the agency and the public to search for the compliance history of a DEP permit holder and the status of all permits at a site.

For more information, go to www.dep.state.pa.us/efacts.EFACTS, which stands for Environment Facility Application Compliance Tracking System, contains six core modules:

1. Authorization application processing.

2. Program-specific inventory details.

3. Compliance.

4. Bonding and forfeitures.

5. Licensing.

6. Self-monitoring report tracking.

Questions eFACTS can answer include:

* What regulated activities are in my area?

* Are the facilities in my area in compliance?

* What are the most frequent violations?

* What steps are being taken to deal with violations?