Lakes Environmental Newsletter
Lakes Software Monthly Newsletter

LAKES SOFTWARE NEWS & EVENTS

Monthly Newsletter - May 2024

Lakes Environmental Announces Acquisition of CALPUFF from Exponent

Lakes Environmental Software, a leader in providing robust environmental modeling software, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the CALPUFF modeling system from Exponent.


CALPUFF, an advanced atmospheric dispersion modeling system, has been widely used by researchers, environmental consultants, and regulatory agencies worldwide. Recognizing the importance of continuity for its users, Lakes Environmental is committed to maintaining the integrity and availability of CALPUFF.


"This acquisition ensures that CALPUFF remains a reliable and accessible resource for the environmental community. We are committed to supporting the existing CALPUFF user base and to further enhancing the software under our stewardship. Lakes Environmental warrants that CALPUFF’s source code will continue to be available for free, and we guarantee that there will be no additional restrictions imposed on its usage," said Dr. Jesse Van Griensven Thé, Lakes Environmental’s CEO.


Exponent is a premium science and engineering consulting firm where exceptional people work to produce breakthrough insights and objective solutions for their clients' vital challenges. "Transferring CALPUFF to Lakes Environmental ensures the software’s ongoing development aligns with a company whose mission is dedicated to environmental software," stated Rick Reiss, a Group Vice President at Exponent.


For further inquiries, please contact Julie Swatson at Julie.Swatson@webLakes.com.


Full details regarding this announcement can be found here.

Compliance Corner: Navigating the Regulatory Realm

EPA Proposes New Secondary SO2 NAAQS


On April 3, 2024, the EPA proposed a new annual secondary standard for sulfur dioxide (SO2) at 10-15 parts per billion, while maintaining the existing standards for nitrogen oxides NO2 and particulate matter (PM). This action is guided by the Clean Air Act, which mandates the establishment of secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public welfare, including vegetation and sensitive ecosystems, from adverse effects of air pollutants. The proposed changes are supported by scientific studies indicating the ecological impacts of these pollutants through direct and atmospheric deposition pathways.


Historically, the EPA has regularly reviewed and adjusted NAAQS to reflect the latest scientific understanding and ecological needs. The current revision reflects ongoing efforts to address environmental and public health concerns linked to air quality.


A public hearing to gather feedback on this proposal was held on May 8, 2024. A recording of this hearing can be found on EPA’s website. For additional details on this topic, you can visit the EPA's page on the matter here.

Just Announced - 2024 Regional, State, and Local Dispersion Modelers' Workshop

The U.S. EPA is hosting their Regional, State, and Local Dispersion Modelers' Workshop from July 30 to August 1, 2024. This significant event, focused on air quality and dispersion modeling, will take place at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Offices in Denver, Colorado, located at 4300 Cherry Creek S Drive. Proceedings will also be hosted virtually via MS Teams for those unable to travel.


The workshop is an important platform for discussions on the latest techniques and regulations impacting air quality modeling, with more details - including a draft agenda and registration link - available on the EPA’s workshop event page.

Online AERMOD Training Course – Aug 13-14, 2024

AERMOD header

Due to increasing high demand, our July online AERMOD course was sold out in no time! Don't miss your opportunity to join the next available 2-day course, scheduled for August 13 and 14, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Central Time – Chicago, USA).


Register now to participate in this essential training!


Note: Due to the immense popularity of our online courses and small class sizes, we recommend registering and making payment as soon as possible.


Course:

AERMOD (Aug 13-14, 2024)

Register

Contact:

training@weblakes.com

A&WMA Annual Conference and Exhibition

A&WMA logo  

We will be in Calgary from June 24-27, 2024, for the Annual Air & Waste Management Conference and Exhibition.


Lakes Environmental is proud to be both a gold sponsor of the conference and an exhibitor! Drop by booth #203 to meet our friendly, knowledgeable staff and for your chance to win a FREE 1-year copy of our AERMOD View air dispersion modeling software!


Visit the conference website to register for this annual event.


Lakes Environmental Teaching Professional Development Course at 2024 A&WMA Conference

Training header

The Air & Waste Management Association will be offering a variety of high-quality professional development courses on June 24, 2024, just prior to the annual conference in Calgary.


This year, our team will present a one-day introductory course on AERMOD Air Dispersion Modeling. Additional details regarding these course can be found below.


Course:

AIR-299: AERMOD Air Dispersion Modeling (Jun 24, 2024)

Location:

Calgary, AB

Contact:

training@weblakes.com

UPCOMING TRAINING COURSES

2024 Course Schedule

Online AERMOD
Aug 13-14, 2024
Register →

Online AERMOD
Sep 17-18, 2024
Register →

Online AERMOD
Oct 15-16, 2024
Register →

Online CALPUFF
Oct 22-23, 2024
Register →

Online AERMOD
Nov 5-6, 2024
Register →

Online AERMOD
Dec 10-11, 2024
Register →

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MODELING TIP

Modeling Fumigation with AERSCREEN View

AERSCREEN is the U.S. EPA’s recommended screening model based on AERMOD. Designed to produce estimates of “worst-case” hourly concentrations for a single source, AERSCREEN is intended to produce concentration estimates that are equal to or greater than those produced by AERMOD with the degree of conservatism varying by project.


One unique feature of AERSCREEN is the ability to calculate fumigation effects due to inversion break-up and coastal boundaries for point sources at least 10 meters in height. When fumigation is enabled, the model finds hours with stable meteorological conditions and low wind speeds and implements concentration equations found in the AERSCREEN User’s Guide.


Lakes Software’s AERSCREEN View application includes easy-to-use settings to employ these fumigation calculations. The steps below describe how to enable these routines in existing projects.


Step 1: Open the Scenario Wizard. You can either use the Data menu and choose to Edit Scenario, or you can select the Edit Selected Scenario button from the Scenarios Tree View menu.


Modeling Tip picture



Modeling Tip picture


Step 2: Navigate to the Fumigation Options screen. This will be the final screen of the Scenario Wizard.


Step 3: To model Inversion Break-up Fumigation, select Yes.


Step 4: To model Shoreline Fumigation, select Yes and supply the additional input parameters:

  • Minimum distance to shoreline, and
  • Optional direction to shoreline.

The distance value should be less than 3000 meters. To model without a specific direction value, select the No Specific Direction checkbox.


Modeling Tip picture
Sample Fumigation Options in AERSCREEN View’s Scenario Wizard


Step 5: Click Finish.


Step 6: Select the Run tool button to open the Modeling Batcher. Select the scenario you want to run and click the Modeling Tip picture  icon.


After a successful model run, close the Scenario Output Results window and view the Scenarios Tree View. Under the scenario’s Output folder are the model output files. Double-click the Output File to open the file in a text editor. The summary of fumigation output will be displayed in a chart at the bottom of the file.


Modeling Tip picture



Modeling Tip picture
Sample Fumigation Results from AERSCREEN’s Output File


Freeware

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ARTICLES

Ice Shelves Fracture Under Weight of Meltwater Lakes

May 3, 2024 - When air temperatures in Antarctica rise and glacier ice melts, water can pool on the surface of floating ice shelves, weighing them down and causing the ice to bend.



Read more →

Unraveling the Mysteries of Consecutive Atmospheric River Events

May 1, 2024 - In California’s 2022-2023 winter season, the state faced nine atmospheric rivers (ARs) that led to extreme flooding, landslides, and power outages – the longest duration of continuous AR conditions in the past 70 years.



Read more →

Additional Environmental News

Visit the Environmental News Network (ENN), the most dependable online environmental news source!


ENN

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2024 Conference Schedule

Air & Waste Management Association’s 117th Annual Conference & Exhibition
June 24-27, 2024 | Calgary, AB | Booth # 203

Learn more →

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to the sources cited. Organizations cited are in no way affiliated with Lakes Environmental Software.

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