Environmental Valuation & Cost-Benefit News

Abstract: This article is part one of a two-part article on the appraisal of water rights. This article identifies various aspects of the water rights that may be the subject of an appraisal; part two, which will appear in the Spring 2008 issue of the The Appraisal Journal, will discuss the actual appraisal process. The rules and regulations that exist in California provide the background for the presentation, and many of the principles presented have general applicability. However, there is variability among states, and appraisers with assignments involving water rights should be knowledgeable about the rules of the state in which the water rights exist.

by Steven J. Herzog, MAI, Review Appraiser, U.S. Department of the Interior, Appraisal Services Directorate; Portland, Oregon. Email: Steven_Hetzoge@bim.gov

The Appraisal Journal via The Appraisal Institute www.appraisalinstitute.org
Volume 76, Issue 1; Winter, 2008; pages 39-47
http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/taj/Default.aspx

Abstract: In 2005, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) adopted a sustainability policy stating the responsibilities of RICS and its members towards sustainability in their conduct. Recently, RICS, in conjunction with Gleeds and The Forum for the Future, issued Sustainability Sustainability: A Short Guide for the Property Profession as a guide to show how the overarching concept of sustainability relates to the entire range of practice disciplines in the profession of surveying. Sustainability is about making sure all businesses, public services, natural resources, economy and communities have the capacity to continue into the future. The RICS recognizes that sustainability should be considered throughout the property lifecycle. Like all surveyors working towards a sustainable future, business property surveyors will need to consider social, economic and environmental issues, and the use of natural resources when acting as a professional consultant for clients in the public and private sectors.

by Rachel Fisher, Liz Coll, Lorna Pelly and Jerry Percy
The Appraisal Journal www.appraisalinstitute.org
Volume 76, Issue 1; Winter, 2008; pages 15-23
http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/taj/Default.aspx

Abstract: This paper examines the impacts of including external costs such as environmental and health damages from power production on power generation expansion planning in Vietnam. Using the MARKAL model and covering a 20-year period to 2025, the study shows that there are substantial changes in the generation structure in favor of renewable energy technologies and other low emitting technologies. These changes lead to a reduction in fossil fuel requirements, and consequently, a reduction of CO2, NOx, SO2, and PM emissions which could be expected to also reduce the associated environmental and human health impacts. The avoided external costs would be equivalent to 4.4 US cent/kWh. However, these gains are not free as the additional electricity production cost would be around 2.6 US cent/kWh higher if the switch to more expensive, but lower emitting technologies were made. The net benefit of internalizing these externalities is thus around 1.8 US cent/kWh.

Keywords: Electricity generation; Externalities; Vietnam

by Khanh Q. Nguyen; Department of Energy Economics, Institute of Energy, 6 Ton That Tung, Dong da, Hanoi, Vietnam and GreenTech Ltd., 31/43 Chua Boc, Dong da, Hanoi, Vietnam; Tel.: +84 4 852 3385; fax: +84 4 852 3311.

Energy via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com
Volume 33, Issue 5; May, 2008; Pages 740-746
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2008.01.014

Abstract: While most olefins (e.g., ethylene and propylene) are currently produced through steam cracking routes, they can also possibly be produced from natural gas (i.e., methane) via methanol and oxidative coupling routes. We reviewed recent data in the literature and then compared the energy use, CO2 emissions and production costs of methane-based routes with those of steam cracking routes. We found that methane-based routes use more than twice as much process energy than state-of-the-art steam cracking routes do (the energy content of products is excluded). The methane-based routes can be economically attractive in remote, gas-rich regions where natural gas is available at low prices. The development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) may increase the prices of natural gas in these locations. Oxidative coupling routes are currently still immature due to low ethylene yields and other problems. While several possibilities for energy efficiency improvement do exist, none of the natural gas-based routes is likely to become more energy efficient or to lead to less CO2 emissions than steam cracking routes do.

Keywords: Natural gas; Ethylene; Steam cracking; Energy efficiency; Methanol

by Tao Ren, Martin K. Patel and Kornelis Blok; all of Department of Science, Technology and Society, Faculty of Chemistry, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; Tel.: +31 30 243 7336; fax: +31 30 253 7601.

Energy via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com
Volume 33, Issue 5, May 2008, Pages 817-833
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2008.01.002

Abstract Because watershed collaborations connect economic and environmental concerns, they are of interest to students of sustainable economic development. The economic outcomes of such collaborations are difficult to study because socio-economic data collection areas do not generally correspond to collaboration boundaries and also because of the simultaneity of economic stimuli and restrictions in collaborative arrangements. This case study of New York City’s Watershed Collaboration in its Catskill Delaware Watershed used a mapping program to create a database of Watershed residents from the 1990 and 2000 census. It provides a heretofore unavailable socioeconomic portrait of the Watershed and trends in indicators relevant to Collaboration effectiveness such as age, demographic pressures, and economic welfare. Through the use of national, state, regional and rural controls, the study also explores the impact of the agreement on the Watershed. Results do not provide evidence of a net negative impact and are consistent with a net positive impact. Several trends which work against agreement effectiveness are identified.

Key words Sustainable economic development - Watershed collaboration - Watershed partnership - Evaluation - Environmental regulation

by Joan Hoffman; John Jay College of Criminal Justice CUNY, Public Management, Economics Division, 445 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019, USA; Email: xhoffman@bestweb.net

Environment, Development and Sustainability via Springer Publishing www.SpringerLink.com
Volume 10, Number 2; April, 2008; Pages 129-156
DOI: 10.1007/s10668-006-9042-7
http://www.springerlink.com/content/v77lr7466688n913/

Abstract: Transportation networks are high-value targets for terrorists and criminals. They are widely accessible, visible, attract intense media attention, and have a significant degree of government ownership. Since the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001, transportation networks have been the focus of increasing security improvements worldwide. Much of the analytical work with respect to improved security of transportation networks has been related to the costs of the security improvements. Benefits have largely been ignored or described in general terms of community safety or the risk of terrorism of trade flows. This analysis provides a qualitative analysis of the benefits of security. An economic framework is used as a guide to develop a taxonomy of security benefits in four dimensions: sovereignty protection, terrorism prevention, interdiction of illegal activities, and personal security. Direct and indirect benefits are identified and classified as tangible and intangible. The analysis shows that the benefits of transportation security measures are often more subtle and pervasive than simply providing a safer and more secure community.

Keywords: Transportation security, Social costs and benefits, Risk assessment

by Barry E. Prentice; I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 5V4, Canada; Email: barry_prentice@umanitoba.ca

Journal of Transportation Security via Springer Publishing www.SpringerLink.com
Volume 1, Number 1; March, 2008; Pages 3-14
DOI: 10.1007/s12198-007-0002-8
http://www.springerlink.com/content/f4h27jw70h353r8u/