Regional Visibility Statistics in the United States: Natural and Transboundary Pollution Influences, and Implications for the Regional Haze Rule

The Regional Haze Rule of the US Environmental Protection Agency mandates reduction in US anthropogenic emissions to achieve linear improvement of visibility in wilderness areas over the 2004–18 period toward an endpoint of natural visibility conditions by 2064. Linear improvement is to apply to the mean visibility degradation on the statistically 20% worst days, measured as a Haze Index in units of deciviews (log of aerosol extinction). We use a global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) with 1°×1° horizontal resolution to simulate present-day visibility statistics in the USA, compare them to observations from the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) surface network, and provide natural and background visibility statistics for application of the Regional Haze Rule. Background is defined by suppression of US anthropogenic emissions but allowance for present-day foreign emissions and associated import of pollution. Our model is highly successful at reproducing the observed variability of visibility statistics for present-day conditions, including the low tail of the frequency distribution that is most representative of natural or background conditions. We find considerable spatial and temporal variability in natural visibility over the USA, especially due to fires in the west. A major uncertainty in estimating natural visibility is the sensitivity of biogenic organic aerosol formation to the availability of preexisting anthropogenic aerosol. Background visibility is more variable than natural visibility and the 20% worst days show large contributions from Canadian and Mexican pollution. Asian pollution, while degrading mean background visibility, is relatively less important on the worst days. Recognizing the influence of uncontrollable transboundary pollution in the Regional Haze Rule would substantially decrease the schedule of emission reductions required in the 2004–18 implementation phase. Meaningful application of the Rule in the future will require projections of future trends in foreign anthropogenic emissions, wildfire frequency, and climate variablesEarth and Planetary SciencesEngineering and Applied Science

The implications of the regional haze rule on renewable and wind energy development on Native American lands in the west: Working paper series--02-21

A study conducted at Northern Arizona University investigated the barriers and opportunities facing Native American tribes in the west when considering development of their renewable energy resources in order to reduce regional haze. This paper summarizes some of the findings of that work with special attention to wind energy. Background information is presented concerning the regional haze rule and the western regional air partnership, and some of the circumstances surrounding development of tribal energy resources. An assessment of tribal energy issues revealed that many Native American tribes are interested in developing their renewable resources. However, this development should occur within the context of maintaining and strengthening their cultural, social, economic, and political integrity. Furthermore, it is shown that Native American lands possess an abundant wind resource. A list of potential actions in which tribes may participate prior to or during development of their wind or renewable resources is provided

The principle of non-interference in ASEAN: Can Malaysia spearhead the effort towards a more interventionist ASEAN

The principle of non-interference in the internal aff airs of ASEAN member states has been identified as among the most significant element that shaped ASEAN intra relations and still remain very much appreciated. By not allowing member states to interfere into another’s internal affairs, especially into politico-security issues, it has created a stable and secured environment in the region which contributed tremendously to the efforts of national building and economic development. However, several regional incidents such as the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis, the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Indonesian Smog/Haze crisis and the Myanmar internal political quandary have questioned if not shaken the belief that the doctrine of non-interference is an untouchable sacred political arrangement. This paper will investigate the genesis of this doctrine, the incidents that challenge the doctrine and Malaysia’s readiness as a country to lead changes in the doctrine

Word Limited: An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between theLength, Resiliency, and Impact of Federal Regulations

Since the rise of the modern administrative state we have seen a demonstrable trend towards lengthier regulations. However, popular critiques of the administrative state that focus on the overall size of the Federal Register are misguided. They rest on the premise that more, and longer, regulations unduly burden industry and the economy in general. However, movement towards lengthier and more detailed regulations could be rational and largely unproblematic. This study tests two potential rational explanations for the trend towards longer regulations: dubbed (1) “the insulation hypothesis” and (2) “the socially beneficial hypothesis.” Each of these explanations embodies a theoretically rational decision. First, the insulation hypothesis rests on the idea that it would make sense for policy-makers to include more detailed legal and scientific support in new regulations, and thereby increase their length relative to previous regulations, if the addition-al detail provided more insulation from judicial review. Second, the socially beneficial hypothesis rests on the idea that devoting relatively more time and re-sources to each new rule would be appropriate if longer, newer regulations produced more net social benefits than older, shorter ones. The empirical analysis set forth in this article combines data from a number of publicly available sources to test these hypotheses. The results, confirming “the socially beneficial hypothesis,” add to the canon of empirical analysis of administrative law, building on the work of Cass Sunstein, Cary Coglianese, and others. Recognizing an overly burdensome regulatory state, an undoubtedly worthwhile and vital check in a democratic society, requires more than simply counting the pages of regulations. The results of this study should put some minds at ease, at least with respect to EPA regulations; they should also help better direct our scrutiny in the future

A Balanced Energy Plan for the Interior West

Describes a Balanced Energy Plan for the Interior West region of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Part of the Hewlett Foundation Energy Series

Linking Agricultural Trade, Land Demand and Environmental Externalities: Case of Oil Palm in South East Asia

Reduction of support measures affecting soybean oil in the major soybean producing countries, as a consequence of WTO rules, coupled with rising demand for palm oil in non-traditional palm oil importing countries may lead to pronounced increases in agricultural land demand for oil palm expansion in Malaysia and Indonesia – two main palm oil producing and exporting countries. However, it is expected that the effects on agricultural land demand and consequently impact upon the environment will depend much on existing governance affecting environmental and forestry management in the two countries. Given the relatively more prevalent policy and institutional failures in Indonesia, it is anticipated that deforestation consequences and open burnings in the country will be stronger, inevitably giving rise to recurring haze externalities in the region. This study employed single and multi-country output supply exogenous policy models with explicit factor markets to examine agricultural land demand-trade linkages in the world vegetable oil markets. Shifts in export demand for palm oil and reductions of support measures affecting soybean production were simulated and effects on land use in Malaysia and Indonesia were observed under varying assumptions of environmental and forestry policy regimes in the two countries. Inferences on environmental effects are also provided.Agricultural trade and environment; Oil palm economy in Malaysia and Indonesia; Oil palm expansion and haze; Transboundary pollution; Policy failures and environmental impacts

Nitrogen: Multiple and Regional Impacts

This report on the emission and deposition of nitrogen in the United States discusses both natural and man-made sources of nitrogen compounds, particularly oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Topics include sources, transport and exposure pathways, and effects on health, visibility, and buildings and other structures. There is also discussion of ecological effects of nitrogen compounds on terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal ecosystems, and of efforts being made to understand and reduce NOx emissions. A glossary and bibliography are provided. Educational levels: Graduate or professional, High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

The Toll From Coal: An Updated Assessment of Death and Disease From America's Dirtiest Energy Source

Estimates the numbers and costs of deaths, hospitalizations, and heart attacks caused by fine particle pollution as a result of emissions from coal-fired power plants, which also contribute to global warming, ozone smog, acid rain, and regional haze