WASHINGTON, D.C. --- U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) announced today that he has secured Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the opening keynote speaker for the upcoming International Air Quality VII Conference, which begins Monday, October 26, 2009, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

McCarthy was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June 2009. Prior to her confirmation, McCarthy served as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. In her 25-year career, she has worked at both the state and local levels on critical environmental issues; helped coordinate policies on economic growth, energy, transportation, and the environment; and has extensive experience with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the nation’s first market-based greenhouse cap-and-trade system.

"We are extremely appreciative of Senator Conrad’s effort in securing such a high-level speaker for this world-class event," said Gerald Groenewold, Director of the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), organizer of the conference. "Senator Conrad continues to be a key supporter of the EERC and is committed to a national plan toward greater energy security. Senator Conrad has also agreed to provide a keynote address during our conference, on Monday at 11 a.m."

"The Air Quality Conference is an important educational event that brings together the top players in energy and environmental issues. That is true again this year as Administrator McCarthy is sure to provide valuable insight and the EPA’s perspective on the nation’s energy and environmental agenda," Senator Conrad said.

Air Quality VII is the nation’s premier conference on carbon management, mercury, trace substances, sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides, and particulate matter. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory, the Electric Power Research Institute, and the EERC’s Center for Air Toxic Metals®.

In total, more than 400 people are expected to attend, representing more than 35 states, the District of Columbia, and ten countries. The event brings together private industry, the research community, policymakers, and regulators to ensure improved quality of life for both global societies and future generations.

The 3½-day conference continues to deliver intensive, timely educational sessions on carbon capture and sequestration, which are at the forefront of challenges facing the energy and environmental sectors, as well as a variety of air emission issues, including questions related to proposed multipollutant legislation, the status of international activities, and technological advances. Air Quality VII also includes a panel discussion on moving carbon capture and sequestration technologies out of the laboratory and into the commercial marketplace.

All those who wish to attend this year’s conference can register at www.undeerc.org/AQ7.