Hundreds of millions visitors travel to U.S. national parks every year visit America's iconic landscapes. Concerns about air quality in these areas have led strict, yet controversial pollution control policies. We document trends and estimate the relationship between park visitation. From 1990 2014, average ozone concentrations were statistically indistinguishable from 20 largest metropolitan areas. Further, relative cities, seen only modest reductions days with exceeding levels deemed...

This paper provides experimental evidence that behavioral interventions spill over to untreated sectors by altering consumer choice. We use a randomized controlled trial and high-frequency data test the effect of social norms messaging about residential water on electricity consumption. Messaging appears induce small reduction in summertime use. Empirical tests household survey support hypothesis this nudge alters choices. An engineering simulation suggests complementarities between...

In April 2014 Flint, Michigan switched its drinking water supply from the Detroit system to Flint River as a temporary means save $5 million. Over 18 months it was revealed that switch exposed residents dangerous levels of lead, culminating in an emergency declaration October 2015. This paper examines impact this crisis on housing market. The value Flint’s stock has fallen by $520 million $559 despite over $400 remediation spending. Home prices remain depressed through August 2019, 16 after...

Abstract The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates large increases in U.S. biofuel consumption and is implemented using tradable compliance credits known as RINs. In early 2013, RIN prices soared, causing the regulator to propose reducing future mandates. We estimate empirically effect of three “policy shocks” that reduced expected 2013. find largest these shocks decreased value fuel industry's 2013 obligation by $7 billion. then study effects on commodity markets market publicly‐traded firms....

This paper deploys a framed field experiment and uses high-frequency data to evaluate the short- long-run effects of three behavioral interventions on residential water use during extreme drought. Our study Home Water Reports (HWRs) hourly yields main results. First, even when layered top 25% drought conservation mandate, HWRs led 4 5%. Second, across variants HWRs, profile is similar, suggesting that households did not respond messaging or recommendations contained in HWRs. Third, effect...

Approximately 23 million U.S. households rely on private wells for drinking water. This study first summarizes water behaviors and perceptions from a large-scale survey of that in Iowa. Few test as frequently recommended by public health experts. Around 40% do not regularly test, treat, or avoid their water, suggesting pollution exposure may be widespread among this population. Next, we utilize randomized control trial to how nitrate strips information about free, comprehensive quality...

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is among the largest renewable energy mandates in world. policy enforced using tradeable credits that implicitly subsidize biofuels and tax fossil fuels. RFS relies on these taxes subsidies to be passed through consumers stimulate demand for decrease gasoline diesel. We study pass-through of subsidy E85, a high-ethanol blend fuel, retail fuel prices weekly from over 450 stations United States. find that, average, half three-quarters E85 consumers. However,...

Abstract Many policies mandate renewable energy production to combat global climate change. These often differ significantly from first‐best policy prescriptions. Among the largest mandates enacted date is Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which biofuel consumption far beyond what feasible with current technology and infrastructure. We critically review methods used by Environmental Protection Agency project near‐ long‐term compliance costs under RFS, draw lessons RFS experience that would...

Conventional wisdom suggests that gasoline price gouging before and after natural disasters is widespread. To explore this conjecture, we compile data on more than 4.7 million daily station-level retail prices. We combine these with information wholesale rack prices, spot hurricane threats landfalls, weather, traffic, power outages. investigate the effect of hurricanes retailer margins, fuel pass-through, share stations reporting transactions. exploit fact exact timing location landfalls...

We critically review the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) assessment of costs and benefits Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) as summarized in its regulatory impact analysis (RIA). focus particularly on EPA's methods used to calculate policy US fuel market. compare ex ante cost benefit estimates measures post implied by price compliance credits under policy. Overall, we find that agency's was inadequate. In spite of, or perhaps because detailed complex underlying RIA, EPA overlooked...

Download This Paper Open PDF in Browser Add to My Library Share: Permalink Using these links will ensure access this page indefinitely Copy URL DOI

Abstract A systematic component of wine quality is believed to depend on the geoclimatic factors its production conditions. This belief has long motivated development geographical indications for wines. American viticulture areas (AVAs) represent most common geographic identifier firms use differentiate their products in United States. In this paper we contribute new empirical evidence effectiveness and impact GIs by studying consumers' valuation US appellations within a structural model...

Efficient pollution regulation equalizes marginal abatement costs across sources. We study a new flaring in North Dakota and document its efficiency. The reduced 4 to 17 percentage points, accounting for most of the observed reductions at wells state since 2015. construct firm-specific cost curves find that could have been achieved 46% lower by taxing flared gas instead imposing requirements. Taxing public lands royalty rate would achieve 90% year-on-year 60% cost.