New Release of U.S. EPA AERMOD & AERMET Models

On April 18th 2005, the U.S. EPA released an updated beta version of AERMOD on the SCRAM web site. This version, AERMOD v. 04300, includes new features such as the Plume Volume Molar Ratio Method (PVMRM) and Ozone Limiting Method (OLM) options for modeling conversion of NOx to NO2. This version also corrects various issues with AERMOD version 03273.

The U.S. EPA also released an updated beta version of AERMET (04300) on the SCRAM web site on May 12th 2005. For detailed information, please see the U.S. EPA SCRAM website at:
https://www.epa.gov/ttn/scram/tt26.htm#aermodbetatest

ISC-AERMOD View Version 5.0 Coming!

To keep you up to date with U.S. EPA model changes, and to continue to provide you with the best tools on the market, Lakes Environmental is developing a new release of ISC-AERMOD View, Version 5.0. The new features include:

1. BPIP Integration:

   It is now possible to specify buildings and run the BPIP model inside the ISC-AERMOD View interface.

2. Terrain:

   Terrain processing has been completely redesigned for improved usability. An option to import terrain elevations from AERMAP for ISCST3 and ISC-PRIME runs will be available.

3. Rammet View:

   Rammet View now has a new interface which allows the user to pre-process multiple years of met data within a single project.

4. Post-processing Integration:

   Contouring results are now displayed inside the ISC-AERMOD View interface along with the input data. No need to launch POST View.

5. 3D Visualization:

   This feature is now available for all types of sources.

ISC-AERMOD View Version 5.0 is scheduled for release the end of May 2005. To find out more about Version 5.0, please contact us at: support@weblakes.com

Lakes Environmental Highlighted at World Business Review on CNBC

After being awarded the Most Innovative Company in Southwestern Ontario in March 2004, Lakes Environmental has received a lot of attention. The most recent is a feature spot on the environmental section of the World Business Review at CNBC, a cable news channel that dedicates most of its topics to relevant business news. The Lakes Environmental segment will air on the World Business Review this coming May 19th 2005 and contains interviews with company president Jesse Thé and is hosted by Alexander Haig.

MPCA VIEW – U.S. EPA Peer Review

Lakes Environmental has completed the first phase in development of the Minnesota Statewide Screening IT solution, MPCA View. This system analyzes the impacts of all atmospheric air toxics in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) emissions inventory.

On April 27th and 28th 2005, U.S. EPA representatives met at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to peer review MPCA View applicability and acceptability for proposed objectives. This peer review is schedule to take 90 days.

MPCA is a leading environment agency in investigating the cumulative impacts from multiple sources. Lakes Environmental feels fortunate to be able to support the MPCA on this research project.

For more information please see the full details at:
www.weblakes.com/project_experience/minnesota_statewide.html

We’ve set a number of training dates for 2005, with additional courses to be announced. Please contact us at training@weblakes.com for international or customized training needs.

AERMOD & ISCST3 Courses

For more information on these courses such as registration information and course outlines, please visit our website: https://www.weblakes.com/courses.html

The Terrain Grid Pathway (TG), which can be used with the ISCST3 and ISC-PRIME models, should be used only when the Dry Depletion option in the Control Pathway is selected.

Dry depletion (removal) of the plume accounts for the loss of mass due to particles deposited on the surface from gravitational settling and dry deposition. When using the dry depletion option, the particle information (particle diameter, mass and density) must be specified in the Source Pathway.

Terrain Grid data is considered only in the calculation of dry depletion in elevated or complex terrain. The terrain grid data provided in the terrain grid file is used to integrate numerically the amount of plume that has been depleted along the path of the plume from the source to the receptor. If dry depletion is considered but the Terrain Grid Pathway is omitted, the model will interpolate linearly between the source base elevation and the receptor elevation.

In all other cases when no dry depletion is calculated the model will neglect the terrain grid data provided in Terrain Grid Pathway.

U.N. to Start Marathon in Bonn to widen Kyoto

A U.N. meeting in Germany next week will start a marathon bid to extend the U.N.'s Kyoto protocol on fighting global warming and persuade the United States and developing nations to take part from 2012.
https://www.enn.com/today.html?id=7745

North Sea fish on the move to cooler waters

Global warming has forced fish stocks in the North Sea scores of miles north to cooler waters, according to a study by climate change scientists.
https://www.politics.guardian.co.uk/life/science/story/
0,12996,1483209,00.html

American mayors unite to implement Kyoto goals on carbon dioxide levels

Frustrated by the Bush administration's refusal to ratify the Kyoto Treaty, 132 US mayors have pledged to enforce its regulations in their own cities.
https://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=638634

U.S. mercury rule lets hazardous air pollutants off the hook

On March 15, the U.S. EPA issued the long-awaited and controversial rule establishing trading as the mechanism for reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired plants. Although the debate over the rule focused on how best to control mercury releases, critics say that an opportunity to also regulate several other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), such as dioxins, arsenic, and lead, may have been lost.
https://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/may/
policy/cc_mercuryrule.html

EPA Says Toxic Pollution Levels Fall Six Percent

WASHINGTON — Despite increases in levels of mercury, PCBs and dioxin, overall chemical pollution released into the environment fell more than 6 percent in the latest report issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.
https://www.enn.com/today.html?id=7726

Here are a few Conferences and Tradeshows coming up in the next few months: