unit of pollution. For each firm, assume that the cost of reducing pollution to zero (that is, eliminating all 4 xpensive. Cost of Eliminating the. First Unit of Pollution Second Unit of Pollution Third Unit of Pollution (Dollars) (Dollars) (Dollars) 90 125 180 55 70 110 650 800 1,500 that two government employees proposed alternative plans for reducing pollution by 6 units. egulation mment employee suggests limiting pollution through regulation. To meet the pollution goal, the government 2 units. following table with the total cost to each firm of reducing its pollution by 2 units. otal Cost of Eliminating Two Units of Pollution (Dollars)

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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Suppose the government wants to reduce the total pollution emitted by three local firms. Currently, each firm is creating 4 units of pollution in the area, for a total of 12 pollution units. If the government wants to reduce total pollution in the area to 6 units, it can choose between the following two methods:

**Available Methods to Reduce Pollution**
1. The government sets pollution standards using regulation.
2. The government allocates tradable pollution permits.

Each firm faces different costs, so reducing pollution is more difficult for some firms than others. The following table shows the cost each firm faces to eliminate each unit of pollution. For each firm, assume that the cost of reducing pollution to zero (that is, eliminating all 4 units of pollution) is prohibitively expensive.

| Firm   | First Unit of Pollution (Dollars) | Second Unit of Pollution (Dollars) | Third Unit of Pollution (Dollars) |
|--------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Firm X | 90                                | 125                                | 180                              |
| Firm Y | 55                                | 70                                 | 110                              |
| Firm Z | 650                               | 800                                | 1,500                            |

Now, imagine that two government employees proposed alternative plans for reducing pollution by 6 units.

**Method 1: Regulation**

The first government employee suggests limiting pollution through regulation. To meet the pollution goal, the government requires each firm to reduce its pollution by 2 units.

Complete the following table with the total cost to each firm of reducing its pollution by 2 units.

**Total Cost of Eliminating Two Units of Pollution**

| Firm   | Total Cost (Dollars) |
|--------|---------------------|
| Firm X |                     |
| Firm Y |                     |
| Firm Z |                     |
Transcribed Image Text:Suppose the government wants to reduce the total pollution emitted by three local firms. Currently, each firm is creating 4 units of pollution in the area, for a total of 12 pollution units. If the government wants to reduce total pollution in the area to 6 units, it can choose between the following two methods: **Available Methods to Reduce Pollution** 1. The government sets pollution standards using regulation. 2. The government allocates tradable pollution permits. Each firm faces different costs, so reducing pollution is more difficult for some firms than others. The following table shows the cost each firm faces to eliminate each unit of pollution. For each firm, assume that the cost of reducing pollution to zero (that is, eliminating all 4 units of pollution) is prohibitively expensive. | Firm | First Unit of Pollution (Dollars) | Second Unit of Pollution (Dollars) | Third Unit of Pollution (Dollars) | |--------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Firm X | 90 | 125 | 180 | | Firm Y | 55 | 70 | 110 | | Firm Z | 650 | 800 | 1,500 | Now, imagine that two government employees proposed alternative plans for reducing pollution by 6 units. **Method 1: Regulation** The first government employee suggests limiting pollution through regulation. To meet the pollution goal, the government requires each firm to reduce its pollution by 2 units. Complete the following table with the total cost to each firm of reducing its pollution by 2 units. **Total Cost of Eliminating Two Units of Pollution** | Firm | Total Cost (Dollars) | |--------|---------------------| | Firm X | | | Firm Y | | | Firm Z | |
**Method 2: Tradable Permits**

The government is using a different strategy to cut pollution levels from 12 units to 6 units by issuing pollution permits at a price of $498 each. Firms can buy/sell permits. Suppose Firm Z, which finds cost reduction expensive, considers buying a permit. Evaluate the proposed prices for which trading is feasible:

- $109
- $149
- $170
- $579
- $729

The price of $498 is the permit's trading price.

**Table: Firm Permit Actions and Pollution Levels**

| Firm | Initial Pollution Permit Allocation (Units) | Action                 | Final Amount of Pollution Eliminated (Units) | Cost of Pollution Reduction (Dollars) |
|------|----------------------------------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Firm X | 2                                            | ➔ (Selling or Buying)   |                                             |                                       |
| Firm Y | 2                                            | ➔ (Selling or Buying)   |                                             |                                       |
| Firm Z | 2                                            | ➔ (Selling or Buying)   |                                             |                                       |

**Regulation Versus Tradable Permits**

Evaluate the total cost of reducing pollution to 6 units using regulation and tradable permits:

| Proposed Method           | Total Cost of Eliminating Six Units of Pollution |
|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Regulation                | (Dollars)                                        |
| Tradable Permits          | (Dollars)                                        |

**Conclusion**

Determine if tradable permits or government-regulated reduction costs are lower.
Transcribed Image Text:**Method 2: Tradable Permits** The government is using a different strategy to cut pollution levels from 12 units to 6 units by issuing pollution permits at a price of $498 each. Firms can buy/sell permits. Suppose Firm Z, which finds cost reduction expensive, considers buying a permit. Evaluate the proposed prices for which trading is feasible: - $109 - $149 - $170 - $579 - $729 The price of $498 is the permit's trading price. **Table: Firm Permit Actions and Pollution Levels** | Firm | Initial Pollution Permit Allocation (Units) | Action | Final Amount of Pollution Eliminated (Units) | Cost of Pollution Reduction (Dollars) | |------|----------------------------------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Firm X | 2 | ➔ (Selling or Buying) | | | | Firm Y | 2 | ➔ (Selling or Buying) | | | | Firm Z | 2 | ➔ (Selling or Buying) | | | **Regulation Versus Tradable Permits** Evaluate the total cost of reducing pollution to 6 units using regulation and tradable permits: | Proposed Method | Total Cost of Eliminating Six Units of Pollution | |---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Regulation | (Dollars) | | Tradable Permits | (Dollars) | **Conclusion** Determine if tradable permits or government-regulated reduction costs are lower.
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