Final Rule Update: U.S. EPA Releases Revised Appendix W |
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On March 21, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revisions to the Guideline on Air Quality Models, known as Appendix W to 40 CFR Part 51, officially became effective. These updates, originally signed by the EPA Administrator on November 20, 2024, bring important changes that impact air quality modeling practices across the country.
Highlights of the Final Rule Include:
AERMOD Enhancements
Significant updates have been made to the AERMOD dispersion modeling system to improve the accuracy of near-field pollutant dispersion assessments.
Updated Background Concentration Guidance
The final rule includes refined recommendations for determining background concentrations in cumulative impact analyses.
Technical Corrections
A variety of typographical and technical revisions have been included to clarify and streamline model applications.
At Lakes Environmental Software, we are committed to helping you stay up to date with regulatory developments. Our tools, including AERMOD View, are designed to reflect the latest modeling requirements to support your compliance needs.
If your AERMOD View license is no longer in current maintenance, please reach out to our sales team to renew your maintenance and ensure access to the latest regulatory-compliant version of the software.
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Online CALPUFF Course – May 20-21, 2025 – 2 Spots Left! |
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Enhance your air dispersion modeling skills by registering for our 2-day online CALPUFF training course taking place on May 20 and 21, 2025 from 8:30am to 5:00pm (Central Time – Chicago, USA).
Space is limited. Register today!
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Online AERMOD Training Course – Jun 17-18, 2025 - 3 Spots Left! |
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Register today for our next available 2-day online AERMOD course taking place on June 17 and 18, 2025 from 8:30am to 5:00pm (Central Time – Chicago, USA).
Register today!
Note: Due to the immense popularity of our online courses and small class sizes, we recommend registering and making payment as soon as possible to reserve your spot.
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A&WMA Annual Conference and Exhibition |
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We will be in Raleigh, NC from June 9-12, 2025, for the Annual Air & Waste Management Conference and Exhibition.
Lakes Environmental is proud to be both a silver sponsor of the conference and an exhibitor! Drop by booth #33 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.
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Lakes Environmental Teaching Professional Development Courses at 2025 A&WMA Conference |
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The Air & Waste Management Association will be offering a variety of high-quality professional development courses on June 9, 2025, just prior to the annual conference in Raleigh.
As in previous years, we will present a one-day course on AERMOD Air Dispersion Modeling and a one-day course on Puff Dispersion Modeling. Additional details regarding these courses can be found below.
Course registration can be completed on the conference website.
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Lakes Environmental Closed for Victoria Day Holiday |
Lakes Environmental's offices will be closed on Monday, May 19, 2025, to observe the Victoria Day holiday. Our Dallas support office will remain open on this day. If you have any support needs during that time, please e-mail us at support@webLakes.com. Any sales inquiries will be responded to when our offices reopen on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
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UPCOMING TRAINING COURSES |
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MODELING TIP |
U.S. EPA’s Regional, State, & Local (RSL) Dispersion Modelers’ Workshop |
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The U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Modeling Group (AQMG) recently announced that their annual Dispersion Modelers’ Workshop will be held in Nashville, TN from July 8-10, 2025. This year’s Workshop will not feature a “Stakeholder Day” for members of the general public.
Details about the Workshop – including a Flyer and Draft Agenda – are available on the U.S. EPA website.
The Workshop provides AQMG a chance to interface with co-regulatory air permitting agencies on items such as reviewing ongoing model development activities, discussing issues affecting air permitting regulators at varying levels of government, and more.
The U.S. EPA also maintains a history of previous air modeling conferences and workshops on their website. Visitors to the site can select a previous conference or workshop to view presentations and data that were presented.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ARTICLES |
AI Model Can Predict When Lightning Will Spark Wildfires |
April 4, 2025 - Researchers have developed an AI model that can predict with 90 percent accuracy when and where lightning will ignite wildfires.
Read more → |
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Winter Sea Ice Reached New Lows in the Arctic |
Apri; 4, 2025 - Winter sea ice cover in the Arctic was the lowest it’s ever been at its annual peak on March 22, 2025, according to NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). At 14.33 million square kilometers (5.53 million square miles), the maximum extent fell below the prior low of 14.41 million square kilometers (5.56 million square miles) in 2017.
Read more → |
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UPCOMING CONFERENCES |
2025 Conference Schedule |
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TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference (ETFC)
June 3-4, 2025 | San Antonio, TX | Booth # 216
Learn more →
Air & Waste Management Association’s 118th Annual Conference & Exhibition
June 9-12, 2025 | Raleigh, NC | Booth #33
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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