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Lakes Environmental Software
Volume 10 - Issue 1 Monthly Newsletter - January 2009

Contents

News & Events
Upcoming Courses
Monthly Modeling Tip
This Month’s Articles
Conferences & Trade Shows
About this Newsletter
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News & Events

AUSTAL View Version 6.0 Released!

Lakes Environmental and Argusoft are proud to announce the release of AUSTAL View Version 6.0. AUSTAL View is a graphical user-interface for the official German Federal Environmental Agency air dispersion model - AUSTAL2000. AUSTAL View is available in German and in English languages.

This release of AUSTAL View incorporates several new features such as:

  • Ability to export to KML files for use in Google Earth®.
  • Support for the latest update of the AUSTAL2000 model (version 2.4.4)
  • Support and automated download of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission terrain data files (SRTM)
  • Support for German or English AUSTAL2000 model log file messages

Please see the AUSTAL View Version 6.0 Release Notes (EnglishGerman) for a complete list of the new features.

For further information, please contact Lakes Environmental at sales@weblakes.com or Argusoft at info@argusoft.de.

Toronto and Los Angeles AERMOD Courses Sold Out!
New Toronto Course Added on April 2-3, 2009!

The AERMOD courses in Los Angeles on January 22-23, 2009 and Toronto on February 5-6, 2009 are sold out. To meet the high demand in Ontario, we have added another session of this very popular course in Toronto on April 2-3, 2009. If you wish to attend, please contact us at training@weblakes.com or check the Upcoming Courses section on our website to register.

Dr. Jesse Thé Invited to Teach Course at A&WMA Specialty Conference

Dr. Jesse Thé, president of Lakes Environmental, was invited to teach the AIR-299: AERMOD Air Dispersion Modeling Course on January 19, 2008, in conjunction with the AW&MA's specialty conference, The Latest Developments in Air Modeling, which is taking place January 19-22, 2009 in Toronto, ON.

Lakes Environmental Closed for "Ontario Family Day" Holiday

Lakes Environmental's offices will be closed on Monday, February 16th, 2009 to observe Family Day. If you have any pressing needs during that time, please email us at support@weblakes.com and we will contact you February 17th, 2009 when we re-open.

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Upcoming Courses

We’ve set a number of training dates for 2009. Please be sure to register in advance as spots are limited.

AERMOD Courses

Jan. 22-23, 2009 Los Angeles, CA, USA
FULL
Feb. 05-06, 2009 Toronto, ON, Canada1
FULL
Feb. 26-27, 2009 Dallas, TX, USA
Apr. 02-03, 2009 Toronto, ON, Canada1
Apr. 23-24, 2009 Miami, FL, USA
May. 11-12, 2009 San Francisco, CA, USA
Jun. 01-02, 2009 Calgary, AB, Canada
(1) Includes new section regarding MOE Reg. 419/05 (see Outline)
For more information on the above courses, including registration information, location, and course outlines, please visit our web site: www.weblakes.com/course.
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Monthly Modeling Tip

Flaring

Modeling dispersion from flares can provide challenges as many air dispersion models do not have a specific flare source type (AERMOD and CALPUFF are two such models). When using such a model, a point source type is used with pseudo release parameters that capture the unique behavior of the flare source. The challenge is to calculate appropriate pseudo parameters.

US EPA Method

The US EPA provides a method of calculating pseudo release parameters in section 4.2.1 of the Workbook of Screening Techniques for Assessing Impacts of Toxic Air Pollutants. This method uses calculations of the total heat released by the flare to calculate a pseudo stack height. This method is relatively simple and quick to calculate.

Note: Users of AERMOD View can use the built in calculator to determine this pseudo stack height.


Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) Method

An alternative method has been created by the Alberta ERCB. The ECRB method is available in a spreadsheet format, and contains a much higher level of detail, allowing for options such as the addition of fuel gas. The ERCB spreadsheet provides as output pseudo parameters for stack height, diameter, exit temperature and velocity. To download the ERCB spreadsheet click here.

Remember: We are currently accepting submissions for the Monthly Modeling Tip that appears in our newsletters. If you have a modeling tip that may benefit a variety of people, please send it to us at support@weblakes.com. Your name and the name of your organization will appear below the tip providing you with greater exposure.
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This Month's Articles

Harvard’s ”Hippo” Jet Heads to Pole to Test CO2 Level
January 8, 2009 - Harvard University is flying a specially equipped jet between the North Pole and South Pole to test the atmosphere for variations in global-warming gases, aiming to improve computer models for predicting climate change.

A modified Gulfstream V took off today from Colorado bound for the Arctic as part of a three-year mission dubbed Hippo, said David Hosansky, a spokesman for the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a collaborator in the Harvard-led project based in Boulder, Colorado. The plane will later turn south via New Zealand toward Antarctica.
Read Article
A Tale of Two Pollutants
January 8, 2009 - After more than a decade of research, a team of scientists has found that by releasing one pollutant into the environment, we might help capture another.

Findings from one of the National Science Foundation's longest-running studies show that adding nitrogen to soil prompts northern hardwood forests to absorb more heat-trapping carbon dioxide.

As the atmosphere's most abundant element, nitrogen plays a significant role in ecosystems, and one to which scientists and policymakers are paying greater attention. Growing evidence suggests that as humanity pumps more nitrogen into the environment, forests could become bigger carbon sinks and help mitigate climate change. But experts warn that it's a dangerous experiment that could have serious consequences.
Read Article
Hong Kong’s Silent Epidemic
January 6, 2009 – GLOBE-Net - An independent public policy think tank has released the findings of a 1,020-person public opinion survey that explored attitudes towards air pollution and associated health risks in Hong Kong. The survey results suggest one in five Hong Kong residents are prepared to leave the city because of its poor air quality.

According to the survey conducted by Professor Michael DeGolyer, Director of Baptist University’s Hong Kong Transition Project, these findings equate to 1.4 million residents thinking about moving away, including 500,000 who are seriously considering or already planning to move according to the survey conducted for the think tank Civic Exchange.
Read Article
EPA Makes Decision to Designate Areas Not Meeting Standards for Fine Particle Pollution
December 22, 2008 - (Washington, D.C.) EPA has notified 25 governors and 23 tribal leaders that certain areas in their states and tribal lands do not meet the agency’s daily standards for fine particle pollution, also known as PM 2.5.

“These designations are an important step in our steady march toward cleaner air,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “We will continue working with our state and tribal partners to meet these air quality standards.”
Read Article
U.S. Polluters to Pay Record $11.8 Billion in 2008: EPA
Dec 5, 2008 - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement actions during the 2008 budget year resulted in a record $11.8 billion in pollution controls and projects to clean up the environment, the agency said on Thursday.

"After these pollution control activities are completed, EPA estimates record pollution reductions of 3.9 billion pounds per year," said Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
Read Article
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Conferences & Trade Shows

Here are a few conferences and trade shows coming up in the next few months:
Jan. 19-21, 2009 World Future Energy Summit 2009
more info
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Jan. 19-22, 2009 The Latest Developments in Air Modeling (A&WMA Conference)
more info
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Feb. 1-4, 2009 Energy & Environment Conference (EUEC) 2009
more info
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Feb. 5-6, 2009 2nd Annual Unconventional Oil & Gas Resources
more info
Barcelona, Spain
Mar. 10-12, 2009 International Scientific Congress on Climate Change
more info
Copenhagen, Denmark
Mar. 17-19, 2009 AMERICANA 2009
more info
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Mar. 23-24, 2009 A&WMA Greenhouse Gas Measurement Symposium
more info
San Francisco, CA, USA
Apr. 20-21, 2009 CANECT 2009 *
more info
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jun. 16-19, 2009 A&WMA 102nd Annual Conference & Exhibition *
more info
Detroit, Michigan, USA

* Lakes Environmental is attending CANECT and AWMA

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About This Newsletter

This newsletter contains information gleaned from various sources on the web, with complete links to the sources cited. Organizations cited are in no way affiliated with Lakes Environmental Software.

Lakes Environmental Software is a leading environmental IT company that offers a complete line of air dispersion modeling, risk assessment, emissions inventory, and emergency release software as well as training and custom software services. With satisfied users located around the globe, Lakes Environmental Software will continue to revolutionize the environmental software field.

For more information please visit our web site at: www.weblakes.com.  You may also contact us by phone at (519) 746-5995 or by fax at (519) 746-0793.

All comments and suggestions are welcome.  You can e-mail us at: support@weblakes.com
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