What’s Happening Now
EPA News
Model Clearinghouse Concurrence Memo – On August 27, 2024, the EPA Model Clearinghouse issued a concurrence memo for a case where a permit applicant wanted approval to use a non-guideline model (AERMOD-AERCOARE) for an Outer Continental Shelf permitting project. To read the concurrence memo, as well as the supporting documentation, visit here.
Conferences and Workshops
Lots of upcoming meetings and conferences coming up, so without further ado….
*HOT* AWMA New Source Review (NSR) Workshop – It’s back! The latest AWMA NSR Workshop is coming to Rosemont, IL September 17-18, 2024. Need to learn more about Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) or Nonattainment Review air permitting? Or maybe you’re in the market for a refresher or just want to learn about the latest developments? Then, this workshop is for you. Providence’s Robynn Andracsek will be one of the presenters, focusing on BACT, and nonattainment review. To learn more about the workshop, including links to registration and lodging, click here.
*HOT* AWMA Southern Section Annual Meeting – The 2024 annual meeting of the AWMA’s Southern Section will be held September 18-20, 2024 at Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, GA. Click here for more information.
TCEQ Advanced Air Permitting Seminar – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is hosting an Advanced Air Permitting Seminar on October 17, 2024 at The Commons Conference Center in Austin, Texas. This seminar will feature the latest and greatest in the world of Texas air permitting, including a session on modeling updates. For more information on the workshop (including links to registration and the agenda), click here.
Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association (CAPCA) Fall Meeting – The annual fall meeting of CAPCA will be held October 23-25, 2024 at the Myrtle Beach, SC Hilton. Of special interest are the topics set for Thursday October 24 – Implementing PM2.5 and Modeling, Testing, and Monitoring PM2.5. For more information regarding the meeting, including registration, go to https://www.capca-carolinas.org/2024-fall.
AWMA Louisiana Section 2024 Fall Conference – This annual conference is set for October 29-30, 2024 at the L’Auberge Hotel and Casino in Baton Rouge, LA. Click here for more information and click here for the Call for Abstracts. Providence will definitely be there and we hope to see you there, too!
AWMA Modeling Conference “Guideline on Air Quality Models: A New Chapter” – The air quality modeling committee of AWMA has scheduled this specialty conference to be held at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, NC November 13-15, 2024.
Paper/presentation topics include:
• AERMOD, including regulatory updates and on-going model options development
• PM2.5 and ozone impacts
• Meteorological data issues
• Modeling for Other Regulatory Requirements and Issues
• And more
Conference registration information can be found here. General information about the conference may be found by going to A&WMA Air Quality Models Conference (awma.org). Providence will be there, and we hope you will be there, too!
If your company, organization, agency, State, etc. has an upcoming modeling or air quality-related event (virtual or otherwise) and you’d like it publicized in Providence/Oris Notes, please send that information to us at info@providenceoris.com, and we’ll be happy to include it.
Providence Products
Simply the best!
Pricing Changes for 2025
Effective January 1, 2025, BEEST prices will be:
• Single user new purchase – $1,550
• Single user annual maintenance renewal – $775
• Existing multi-user annual maintenance renewal – $1,550
• Existing Max-3 annual maintenance renewal – $1,550
There will be no changes to BEEST enterprise license renewals. In addition, there will be no changes to new purchase or maintenance renewals for AerScreen for Windows or AERMOD Wizard.
Changes to Licensing in 2024
You may have received an email from us recently highlighting changes to our software licensing structure. The changes, which went into effect June 30, 2024, include:
• No new multi-user licenses are being issued/sold after June 30, 2024. Existing multi-user licenses are still being honored and renewable.
• Existing single user licenses may not be upgraded to multi-user after June 30, 2024.
• No new Max-3 licenses are being issued/sold after June 30, 2024. Existing Max-3 licenses are still being honored and renewable.
• No changes to Enterprise licenses, air regulator licenses, or academic/research licenses.
To read about all of the licensing changes, go to https://www.providenceoris.com/software-licensing/.
BEEST Suite
BEEST 12.10 has been released! BEEST 12.10 allows you to run AERMOD 23132 and AERMET 23132, but currently does not include an interface for the new COARE over-water algorithms in AERMET. It includes all of these great new features:
• *The AERMOD 23132 executable* (although the new keywords will be incorporated into BEEST 12.11
• *The AERMET 23132 executable*
• Support for new AERMOD 22112 alpha keywords SWPOINT, RLINEXT, and PLATFORM
• Ability to export new SWPOINT and RLINEXT source types to Google Earth
• The AerMinute GUI includes download access to the new 1-minute ASOS data site (National Center for Environmental Information or NCEI website — as was discussed in in October 2022 Providence/Oris Notes)
• We’ve added the ability to add receptors along an Other line (like a road or railroad)
• Reads the ArcGIS world file when the user opens a background map
• Updated Terrain File Converter to read the latest version of GDAL library files
• Added a warning in Receptor Options when the number of partitions is greater than the total number of receptors
• Added confirmation prompt when the user clicks the “Remove last day from output files” button in AerMet
• Added a list of ASOS station anemometer heights to guidance documents
• An updated WindRose utility
• And more!
Look for BEEST 12.11 to be out soon! This update will include:
• AERMET GUI upgraded to include support for new PROG and COARE keywords;
• BEEST supports new AERMOD 23132 keywords;
• Added the ability to select all or none of the pollutants and years on the AERMOD Setup form.
• Added the year 2024 to the dropdown list on the File tab in Source Options
• Updated the contour set for annual PM2.5
• A new version of the MAXDCONT Viewer
*Of course, as soon as EPA releases AERMOD 24142 (along with AERMAP, AERMET, and AERSURFACE), we’ll get all that incorporated into the next version of BEEST.*
As always, users in maintenance can download the most recent version of BEEST from https://www.providenceoris.com/software-downloads/.
“Go BEEST Mode !” We still have plenty of Go BEEST Mode t-shirts! You can request one of those by emailing us at info@providenceoris.com.
AerScreen for Windows
AerScreen for Windows 4.04 is now out! The update has these new features/enhancements:
- Runs AERMOD 23132
- Terrain Files Converter has been updated to use Geospatial Data Abstraction Library 3.7
- Terrain Files Converter User Manual has been updated
When EPA releases AERMOD 24142, we will include it with AerScreen for Windows.
Users in maintenance can download the most recent version of AerScreen for Windows from https://www.providenceoris.com/software-downloads/.
AERMOD Wizard
AERMOD Wizard 1.09 is out and includes these updates:
- Updated AERMET version to 23132
- Ability to download all of the EPA 2022 ambient monitoring data
- Ability to export Class I areas and Class I area receptors to Google Earth
- Ability to download ASOS data from the new NCEI website
- Inclusion of the 2020 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) data set
- And more!
We presented a webinar on the new features in AERMOD Wizard 1.09 back on February 1. If you missed it, you can click here to view the recording.
Users in maintenance can download AERMOD Wizard from https://www.providenceoris.com/software-downloads/.
We’re off to use the Wizard!
If you have suggestions for an enhancement to any of our modeling software products, please let us know and we’ll do our best to incorporate it into the software ASAP!
Modeling Tip of the Month
Time for another AERMOD Wizard modeling tip! When preparing a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit application, one of the items to evaluate is the proposed facility’s impact upon any Class I areas. Under the Federal Clean Air Act, there are 156 mandatory Class I areas -consisting of (1) international parks; (2) national wilderness areas and national memorial parks in excess of 5,000 acres; and (3) national parks in excess of 6,000 acres, that were in existence as of August 7, 1977. Current EPA guidance is to conduct an emissions vs distance evaluation – called Q/D. The object is to sum up all the emissions of light-obscuring pollutants (in tons/year) and divide that by the distance from the proposed facility to the Class I area. If that ratio is less than 10, then it is assumed that the facility will not adversely affect the Class I area. In some cases, the applicant may have to do multiple Q/D analyses, if they are near multiple Class I areas. Regardless of how many Class I areas you have to evaluate, AERMOD Wizard can do this for you with no problem whatsoever.
After opening AERMOD Wizard, place your source on the map:
Populate with your source’s emissions:
You can now show your source and any nearby Class I areas:
To do the Q/D calculation, just place your cursor over the anchor for the Class I area of interest, right-click and select Q/D:
When you select Q/D, a pop-up appears, providing distance from the source to the nearest Class I receptor (in km), the total emission rate (in tpy), and the ratio of Q/D (tpy/km).
In this example, the Q/D is 7.06 tpy/km, which is less than 10, meaning that the source is assumed to not have any adverse impact on this Class I area (Great Smoky Mountains National Park).
By following the same procedure for any other nearby Class I areas, AERMOD Wizard will generate Q/D for those source-to-Class I areas, as well.
Providence Training
Modeling skills ready for an upgrade? We can help!
We want to note that many folks use our classes as credit toward professional engineer continuing education requirements. Check with your state’s licensing board or the National Society of Professional Engineers (see here or here) for more information on what is required.
Essential Air Permitting
Providence’s next Essential Air Permitting class will be December 9, 2024 and it will be on-line. This class is tailored to those folks who are new to air permitting or perhaps new environmental managers who need a good overview of the basic issues related to air permitting. Topics such as statutes, applicability, netting, emission calculations, and Title V are just some of the areas that are covered. To register for this Essential Air Permitting class, click here.
AERMOD Modeling for Permits
Our last AERMOD Modeling for Permits class for 2024 will be December 10-11, 2024 and it will be on-line. If you are wanting to get started in air modeling, then this class is for you! If you want to register, please click here.
Advanced AERMOD
Similarly, our final Advanced AERMOD class for 2024 will be December 12-13, 2024, and it will also be on-line.
Advanced AERMOD covers those topics that are near and dear to modelers, such as:
• NAAQS modeling for 1-hour NO2, 1-hour SO2, and 24-hour PM2.5 (including the new MAXDCONT Viewer)
• Meteorological data processing with AERMET/AERMINUTE/AERSURFACE
• Culpability Determination
• Background Concentrations
• Emission scalars and Hourly Emission Rate files
• Changes in Terrain Data Processing and
• AERMOD Wizard and its uses
To register for Advanced AERMOD, click here.
**Modeling for Non-Modelers**
Given the importance that modeling plays in demonstrating compliance, we think that all stakeholders of the air quality permitting team (client/applicant, permit application preparer, modeler, attorney, etc) need to have a basic understanding of air quality modeling. Do you know a manager, an attorney, or a client who knows just enough about dispersion modeling to be dangerous? Wouldn’t it be better if that person knew enough about dispersion modeling to understand the basic modeling process and regulatory drivers, knew how to interpret modeling results, and knew when it was necessary to bring a modeling expert into the decision-making process? If so, our Modeling for Non-Modelers class is for them. This 1-day class doesn’t get into the nitty gritty of setting up and running the model, but it does familiarize students with enough of the process so that they can make informed decisions when it comes to dispersion modeling. This year’s edition of our popular Modeling for Non-Modelers class has been set for Thursday September 19, 2024, and will be presented on-line. Click here to register.
Just as a reminder, if you register more than 30 days before your training class(es), you will receive a $100 discount on the course fee (per class, per registrant).
On-demand Meteorological Data Processing webinar
We are planning to launch a new training option – on-demand webinars. The first of these to be released will be “Meteorological Data Processing for AERMOD”. Look for it at www.providenceoris.com coming soon.
On-demand AERSCREEN webinar
We will be releasing an on-demand training webinar for AERSCREEN. Watch this space for details!
2024 Class Dates
Here are our remining training dates for the rest of 2024.
| Date | Class | Location |
| Sept. 19 | Modeling for Non-Modelers | On-line |
| Dec. 9 | Essential Air Permitting | On-line |
| Dec. 10-11 | AERMOD Modeling for Permits | On-line |
| Dec. 12-13 | Advanced AERMOD | On-line |
*HOT* 2025 Class Schedule
Here are our class dates for 2025:
| Dates | Class | Location |
| February 17, 2025 | Essential Air Permitting | On-line |
| February 18-19, 2025 | AERMOD Modeling for Permits | On-line |
| February 20-21, 2025 | Advanced AERMOD | On-line |
| May 5, 2025 | Essential Air Permitting | On-line |
| May 6-7, 2025 | AERMOD Modeling for Permits | On-line |
| May 8-9, 2025 | Advanced AERMOD | On-line |
| August 18, 2025 | Essential Air Permitting | On-line |
| August 19-20, 2025 | AERMOD Modeling for Permits | On-line |
| August 21-22, 2025 | Advanced AERMOD | On-line |
| December 8, 2025 | Essential Air Permitting | On-line |
| December 9-10, 2025 | AERMOD Modeling for Permits | On-line |
| December 11-12, 2025 | Advanced AERMOD | On-line |
Don’t forget, if our schedule of classes doesn’t mesh with your schedule, or if you have several people that need to be trained at once, contact us about setting up your own onsite or online class.
Providence Services
BeestXpress
Our newer, faster BeestXpress processors run AERMOD 23132
If you’ve never used our super-fast cloud-based BeestXpress before, now is the time. We have an on-demand webinar that steps you through the process of setting up an BeestXpress account and sending off your first BeestXpress run. You can view the webinar here. New BeestXpress users can complete their first run with up to 50 partitions absolutely FREE. Instructions about receiving the free run are given at the end of the webinar. Beyond the starter run BeestXpress will give you a per-run cost estimate before you begin. If you need help budgeting for BeestXpress, contact us for additional daily rate pricing options.
BeestXpress users have some great system enhancements to work with:
- The “Job Details” webpage now displays the pollutant being modeled
- The “Job Details” webpage now displays run progress for MAXDCONT calculations
- Modeling runs with multiple partitions now include a combined AERMOD input file (*.DTA) in the output .ZIP file
- Added an option to the “Submit Job” webpage that affects modeling runs with multiple partitions: the intermediate output files created by each partition can be omitted from the output .ZIP file
- The “Job Search” webpage now includes the option to search by project number
- Users have access to up to 99 partitions per AERMOD run
To date, BeestXpress has processed over 500,000 AERMOD runs.
BeestXpress users can log on at www.beestxpress.com to take advantage of our AERMOD “force multiplier”. That AERMOD run that might have taken a day or two to process on your desktop computer can finish in an hour or less on BeestXpress. When time is money, BeestXpress is the best modeling return on investment there is!
Meteorological Data Processing Services
Do you need AERMOD-ready meteorological data? If so, we can help! Whether it’s running national weather service data or onsite monitor met data through the AERMET/AERMINUTE system, Providence has the background, know-how, and experience to have your data processed and ready for you ASAP. If you’d like more information, contact us at info@providenceoris.com or jamesred@providenceeng.com.
Consulting Solutions
One thing that we’re very proud of is the depth and range of our modeling experience and expertise. The kinds of air quality models we’ve used include all types, ranging from simple screening tools like SCREEN and AERSCREEN to plume models like ISC and AERMOD. The types of analyses include basic Significant Impact Level, NAAQS, PSD increment consumption, Class I analyses, air toxics and SIP attainment demonstrations. So, we’ve seen it all. To that end, should you or your clients need additional modeling assistance or just a second set of eyes to QA or peer review your modeling (ranging from initial protocol up to final submission), we stand ready to help. Feel free to contact us at 512‑258‑8855, 828‑628‑0634 or info@providenceoris.com.
OR . . . maybe you just need advice about a particular project OR you need someone to do a QA review, OR you have a very small modeling task to complete. It would be too much of a hassle to set up a contract for just a few hours of work. What to do?
Easy! Now you can purchase individual air modeling consulting hours with a credit card online through our website! Just contact us first so we’re on the same page about the scope and schedule. Go to https://www.providenceoris.com/product/1-hour-of-expert-air-modeling-consulting/
For clarity, this small-job purchasing option is for air modeling consulting only. Software customers may receive help from us at any time for software-related issues at no cost (this is included in the maintenance fees). Recent trainees may also call to ask us training-related questions at no cost.
Calendar
AWMA New Source Review Workshop
September 17-18, 2024
Rosemont, IL
AWMA Southern Section Annual Meeting
September 18-20, 2024
LaGrange, GA
Modeling for Non-Modelers
September 19, 2024
On-line
TCEQ Advanced Air Permitting Seminar
October 17, 2024
Austin, TX
CAPCA Fall Meeting
October 23-25, 2025
Myrtle Beach, SC
AWMA Louisiana Section Fall 2024 Conference
October 29-30, 2024
Baton Rouge, LA
AWMA Specialty Conference – Guideline on Air Quality Models: A New Chapter
November 13-15, 2024
Raleigh, NC
Essential Air Permitting
December 9, 2024
On-line
AERMOD Modeling for Permits
December 10-11, 2024
On-line
Advanced AERMOD
December 12-13, 2024
On-line
Our complete class schedule can always be found at https://www.providenceoris.com/training/
For More Information:
Phone: (512) 258-8855
Email: info@providenceoris.com
Visit our websites:
www.providenceoris.com (software, support, and training)
www.beestxpress.com (cloud-based high speed AERMOD)
