Lakes Environmental e-Newsletter

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Upcoming Courses

Date	Course	Location	Registration
Dec 12-13, 2011 Dec 14-16, 2011	AERMOD CALPUFF	Hyderabad, India	Full
Jan 23-24, 2012	AERMOD	Los Angeles, CA	Register Now
Feb 6-7, 2012	AERMOD	Toronto, ON	Register Now
Feb 27-28, 2012 Feb 29-Mar 2, 2012	AERMOD CALPUFF	Dallas, TX	Registration Coming Soon
Apr 2-3, 2012	AERMOD	San Francisco, CA	Register Now
May 14-15, 2012 May 16-18, 2012	AERMOD CALPUFF	Las Vegas, NV	Registration Coming Soon
Jun 4-5, 2012 Jun 6-8, 2012	AERMOD CALPUFF	Calgary, AB	Register Now
Sep 27-28, 2012	AERMOD	Mexico City, Mexico	Registration Coming Soon

For more information on the above courses, including registration information, location, and course outlines, please visit our web site: https://www.weblakes.com/courses.html.

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Modeling Tip

How to Change Executables in AERMOD View™

Since the AERMOD model was first promulgated by the U.S. EPA as the preferred regulatory model back in 2006 (official replacement for ISCST3), numerous versions of the model executable have been released. The U.S. EPA periodically releases new versions to fix bugs, include new features, and to account for recent changes in environmental regulations. The AERMOD model is written in the FORTRAN computer language, and the EPA uses the Intel Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows to compile the code when new versions are approved and made available for release to the public. While numerous versions of AERMOD have been released, it is important to remember that only the most recent version is maintained on the EPA’s SCRAM website.

There are many situations where a modeler may wish to use an older version of the AERMOD executable. For example:

Regulators in some countries may still mandate the use of an earlier version of AERMOD. A specific version of AERMOD may be stipulated in the modeling plan and permit application, even though a newer version of the model may have become available since the project started. There are certain situations where a custom recompiled version may be required to support specific non-regulatory options such as modeling a line or flare source or to implement advanced modeling configurations such as the ability to run in a parallel processing environment.

In addition, modelers using recent operating systems like Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 may notice that the current versions of the AERMOD model included in AERMOD View™ (09292, 11059, and 11103) will hang or freeze. This is due to a documented glitch in certain versions of the Intel Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows which the U.S. EPA uses to compile the AERMOD code. Details on the issue can be found at https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/program-crashes-or-hangs-on-some-systems/.

With AERMOD View™, users will find it easy to change which version of the AERMOD executable they use in their analyses. Simply complete the following steps to select a specific version of AERMOD that you wish to use to generate modeling results:

1. Open the File menu and select Preferences. Many different program settings can be set here.



2. The various models available in AERMOD View are listed under the EPA Models/Limits folder. Select AERMOD.
   
   



3. AERMOD View™ defaults to the most recent U.S. EPA executable (currently 11103). By selecting the drop-down list, modelers can select different executables including previous U.S. EPA AERMOD releases. Additional customized versions provided by Lakes Environmental are also available and were developed to resolve the model hanging issue noted above and also to provide you with the powerful option of running projects using the parallel MPI executable.
   
   



4. Furthermore, users can also select their very own recompiled version of AERMOD by selecting the User-Specified radio button. Use the Browse button to search your computer for the desired executable. This could be a much older version of the executable (e.g., 04300, 07026), beta version released by EPA, or a custom compilation.

AERMOD View also makes it easy to change other executables including AERMAP, ISCST3, and ISC-PRIME by selecting the desired model from the EPA Models/Limits list. AERMOD records which executable was used to generate each output file so you never need to worry about forgetting which version was selected for a specific run.

Submit Your Modeling Tip Today!

We are currently accepting submissions for the Monthly Modeling Tip section that appears in our newsletters. If you have a modeling tip that may benefit our readers, 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 an opportunity for increased exposure.

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Articles

EPA Proposes Changes to Clean Air Act Standards for Boilers and Incinerators

WASHINGTON - December 2, 2011 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators based on extensive analysis, review and consideration of data and input from states, environmental groups, industry, lawmakers and the public. The proposed reconsideration would achieve extensive public health protections through significant reductions in toxic air pollutants, including mercury and soot, while increasing the rule’s flexibility and addressing compliance concerns raised by industry and labor groups. The changes also cut the cost of implementation by nearly 50 percent from the original 2010 proposed rule while maintaining health benefits. These standards meet important requirements laid out in the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.

Soot and other harmful pollutants released by boilers and incinerators can lead to adverse health effects including cancer, heart disease, aggravated asthma and premature death. In addition, toxic pollutants such as mercury and lead that will be reduced by this proposal are linked to developmental disabilities in children. These standards will avoid up to 8,100 premature deaths, prevent 5,100 heart attacks and avert 52,000 asthma attacks per year in 2015.

Read Full Article Here

Industrial Air Pollution Cost Europe up to €169 Billion in 2009, EEA Reveals

November 24, 2011 - Air pollution from the 10,000 largest polluting facilities in Europe cost citizens between € 102 and 169 billion in 2009. This was one of the findings of a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) which analysed the costs of harm to health and the environment caused by air pollution. Half of the total damage cost (between € 51 and 85 billion) was caused by just 191 facilities.

The report, 'Revealing the costs of air pollution from industrial facilities in Europe', provides a list of the individual facilities that contribute the most harm.

“Our analysis reveals the high cost caused by pollution from power stations and other large industrial plants,” Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said.

Read Full Article Here

Canada Working With the United States to Address Emissions from Passenger Cars and Light Trucks for Model Years 2017 and Beyond

November 16, 2011 - Today, the Honorable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister, released a consultation document on the development of proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2017 and beyond. These proposed regulations are an extension of the close work Canada has already completed in alignment with the U.S. government to establish common North American standards for regulating GHGs from new passenger cars and light trucks for the 2011-16 model years.

"Given that our economies are deeply integrated, alignment with the United States is a key part of Canada's overall approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Minister Kent. "This effort will also lead to greater fuel economy for consumers, innovation in the auto sector and increased economic competitiveness for Canada."

Read Full Article Here

EPA Reinstates TRI Reporting Requirements for Hydrogen Sulfide

November 4, 2011 - The EPA has recently announced that it will reinstate Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements for hydrogen sulfide as a result of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's interest in offering useful information to Americans about chemicals they may encounter on a daily basis.

Since TRIs are databases that are available for public viewing, which feature information about toxic chemical releases and waste management activities reported by industries and federal facilities, they are typically reinstated to inform the general public about toxic chemical releases and to offer information to the government.

Read Full Article Here

Highlights of the Exposure Factors Handbook (Final Report)

October 13, 2011 - Information in the Exposure Factors Handbook and in this Highlights document has been summarized from studies documented in the scientific literature and other publicly available sources. Studies were chosen that were seen as useful and appropriate for estimating exposure factors for both adults and children. The Handbook contains summaries of selected studies published through July 2011. Certain studies described in the Handbook are designated as "key," that is, the most up-to-date and scientifically sound for deriving recommendations for exposure factors. The recommended values for most exposure factors are based on the results of the key studies. Other studies designated as “relevant,” meaning applicable or pertinent, but not necessarily the most important, are also summarized in the Handbook.

Read Full Article Here

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Upcoming Conferences & Trade Shows

Date	Conference	Location
Jan 16-19, 2012	World Future Energy Summit More Info	Abu Dhabi, UAE
Jan 30- Feb 1, 2012	EUEC 2012 More Info	Phoenix, AZ, USA
Feb 13-14, 2012	EnerCan West 2012: Energy and the Environment More Info	Regina, SK, Canada
Feb 14-16, 2012	Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America More Info	Long Beach, CA, USA
Mar 14-16, 2012	GLOBE 2012 More Info	Vancouver, BC, Canada
Mar 17-18, 2012	2012 International Conference on Informatics, Environment, Energy and Applications (IEEA 2012) More Info	Singapore
Mar 19-23, 2012	8th International Conference on Air Quality More Info	Athens, Greece
Mar 25-27, 2012	Gulf Environment Forum 2012 More Info	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Apr 22-27, 2012	International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 Conference More Info	Montréal, QC, Canada
Apr 30 - May 2, 2012	CANECT 2012 More Info	Mississauga, ON, Canada
Jun 19-22, 2012	A&WMA 105th Annual Conference and Exhibition More Info	San Antonio, TX, USA

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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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