2013 International Air Quality Conference (Air Quality IX) to be Held October 21--23, 2013

GRAND FORKS, N.D., Nov. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota announced that Air Quality IX, the nation's premier international conference on environmental topics associated with energy production, will be held October 21–23, 2013, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, just minutes from Capitol Hill.

Through its 15-year history, the Air Quality Conference has evolved pursuant to the critical issues facing the United States and the world. Attendees will acquire up-to-date information, gain insight on critical energy issues, and interact with top experts from industry and public agencies on air quality and energy production.

"With the ever-increasing global demand for energy, there is a growing sense of urgency about the role of clean energy in long-term economic vitality, security, and climate change," said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold. "The resources are available to combat these energy challenges; the dilemma is to identify the solutions that will meet pending regulations while using advancements in technology and innovation to control costs. Air Quality IX is the perfect venue to discuss these issues as they relate to the energy sector," he said.

"Industry is faced with an evolving regulatory environment," said Mike Holmes, Deputy Associate Director for Research at the EERC and Air Quality IX Technical Director. "Air Quality IX will pair policy makers, researchers, technology providers, and industry for networking and presentations that will benefit all in attendance."       

Air Quality IX will include two streams of concurrent technical sessions in several focus areas such as international markets, policy, and regulations. Oral presentations will cover a wide array of subjects within those areas, including mercury control; CO₂ capture, utilization, and sequestration; multipollutant control; gasification systems; coal conversion technologies; fuel switching from coal to natural gas; plant siting and permitting; environmental issues facing industrial applications; and much more.

The biennial event is sponsored by the EERC, the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE NETL), and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

"Air Quality IX provides a unique opportunity for in-depth discussion of technical issues related to power generation air emissions," said Leonard Levin, Technical Executive, Air Quality Health and Risk Assessment, EPRI. "We have been a partner with the Air Quality Conference since 2000 and look forward to another well-run, well-focused event."

"NETL is committed to addressing the challenges put forth by the National Energy Policy, including enhancing America's energy security, improving the environmental acceptability of energy production, increasing the competitiveness and reliability of U.S. energy systems, and ensuring a strong energy future," said Lynn Brickett, Division Director, Existing Plants, Emission Control, DOE NETL. "Air Quality IX will encompass all of those initiatives and more."

Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are now available online. For more information about the conference, to reserve exhibit space, or to become a sponsor, visit www.undeerc.org/AQ9.

The Air Quality VIII Conference, held in October 2011, attracted more than 400 attendees from 40 states, the District of Columbia, 20 countries, and four Canadian provinces. Attendees represented 185 organizations, including 65% industry/utility representatives.

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) logo is available at  http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11812