Air Quality IX Conference Begins Monday, October 2

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Energy & Environmental Research Center's (EERC's) International Air Quality IX Conference kicks off on Monday, October 21, 2013 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The Air Quality IX Conference is the nation's premier international conference on environmental topics associated with energy production.

Christopher Smith , Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Fossil Energy (FE), has been added as a keynote speaker and will address attendees at 9 a.m. on Monday morning.

Smith is responsible for office operations and managing the oversight of Fossil Energy's Research and Development Program (encompassing coal, oil, and natural gas) and the U.S. Petroleum Reserves. He was appointed to DOE in October 2009 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of FE's Office of Oil and Natural Gas. Prior to his appointment, Smith served in managerial and analytical positions of increasing responsibility in the private sector.

Smith began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army and served tours in Korea and Hawaii. He holds a bachelor's degree in Engineering Management from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an M.B.A from Cambridge University.

Other keynote speakers at the conference include U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND); U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), via video; Tony Clark, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and Amy Ericson, U.S. Country President, Alstom Power.

More than 350 registrants representing 38 states, the District of Columbia, and nine countries worldwide (Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States) are expected at this year's conference.

The technical program includes an esteemed lineup of experts in the energy industry. The program includes two streams of concurrent technical sessions, featuring topics such as, but not limited to, mercury control; policy, regulations, and health issues; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; gasification, natural gas, industrial systems, and unconventional emissions and control; measurement of hazardous air pollutants; and multipollutant emission control and nonmercury metals.

Air Quality IX is sponsored by the EERC, DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory, and the Electric Power Research Institute, along with Collaborating Sponsor Calgon Carbon Corporation and Partnering Sponsors, ADA-Carbon Solutions, FMC Corporation, Great Lakes Solutions (a Chemtura business), the Lignite Energy Council, and Midwest Energy Emissions Corp.

For more information about the conference speakers, program topics, and to register, visit www.undeerc.org/AQ9 .

Derek Walters, Marketing, Communications, and Outreach Manager (701) 777-5113,