Profile
Mr. Dennis Kahlbaum is an expert in meteorology, computer programming, data analysis, graphical presentation, and geographical information systems (GIS). To assist with the requests of AIR’s clientele, he has created special versions of the on-highway and off-highway emission and fuel consumption models in use by both the EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB), including MOVES, MOBILE6, NONROAD, OFFROAD, and M6FCM. He has also executed and modified the GTAP6, GTAP7, FASOM, and GREET models to estimate the land use change and green house gase (GHG) emissions resulting from the EPA Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) and CARB Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS). Mr. Kahlbaum also maintains and performs all of the analyses of AIR’s extensive ambient air and fuel quality databases. He provides meteorological, instrumentation, and data analysis support for Entergy's Palisades Nuclear Plant. In 1995, he was awarded the John Capanius Holm Award by the U. S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is the highest civilian honor given in recognition of co-operative observational meteorologists.
Professional Experience
- 1996-Present -- Meteorologist/Programmer/Senior Analyst, Air Improvement Resource, Inc.
- 1992-1996 -- Senior Meteorologist, Consumers Energy Company
- 1980-1992 -- Senior Programmer-Analyst/Meteorologist, Computer Sciences Corporation
- 1973-Present -- Weather Observer/Staff Meteorologist, University of Michigan
Recent Major Projects
- Performed land use change and GHG emissions analyses using the GTAP, FAPRI, FASOM and GREET models for the EPA RFS1 and RFS2 and CARB LCFS.
- Developed site-specific versions of the GREET model to determine GHG emissions from corn and sorghum ethanol plants.
- Developed unique GIS and spatial analysis techniques to generate the by-county distributions for ambient surface temperature, dew point, and pressure used by the EPA MOVES, NMIM and MOBILE6 systems.
- Set up and executed over 1000 runs of the new EPA MOVES model to determine its response to various inputs and compared the results to similar runs of MOBILE6.
- Developed techniques to statistically remove the effects of meteorology on ambient ozone and carbon monoxide levels so that the impact of emissions reduction programs could be quantified.
- Created special version of California OFFROAD model to investigate regulatory options for large spark ignited engines on off-highway equipment for Engine Manufacturers Association
- Provided meteorological expertise and weather forecasting support to the Consumers Energy Company Legal Department, Environmental and Technical Services Department, and Ludington Barrier Net Project
- Updated the nuclear radiation dose programs at the Cook and Palisades Nuclear plant to current Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidelines.
- Modified the MOBILE5B model to analyze the effects of low sulfur fuel on light-duty gasoline vehicle emissions.
- Modified Canada’s MOBILE5C model to estimate the emission benefits of vehicle technology, and gasoline/diesel fuel options
- Analyzed ozone and NO2 data from the EPA AIRS database to investigate elevated weekend ozone levels in the South Coast Air Basin and in numerous other cities across the United States.
- Created a special version of California Air Resources Board’s OFFROAD model to analyze the inventory impacts of regulatory options for small gasoline engines.
- Supported critical evaluation of ARB and EPA models for on-highway and off-highway sources.
- Developed a fuel emissions quality and performance model utilizing the COMPLEX and Predictive Models to compare gasoline fuels on an overall basis across the U.S.
- Investigated and corrected programming errors in the CAMx air quality model.
Professional Associations
- American Meteorological Society
- National Weather Association
Education
M. Sc., (Meteorology), University of Michigan, 1976 (Magna Cum Laude)
B. Sc., (Meteorology), University of Michigan, 1975 (Magna Cum Laude)