The US National Park Service (NPS) believes that airborne sulfur pollution and acid rain has significantly reducing the water quality in several lakes and streams in the Adirondacks State Park in NY. Many of these water bodies are considered biologically 'dead.' Coal fired power plants in the Midwest contribute most of the pollution. If 70% of the sulfur pollution was removed, the NPS believes that many of the lakes and streams would return to their natural biological state. The costs and benefits associated with this project are as follows:

1. Construction cost for sulfur removal equipment = $300 million for each of the first three years of the project. (During these three years there are no other costs associated with the project.)

2. Operation and maintenance costs = $ 85 million per year (These costs begin to accrue once the project comes on-line in the fourth year. They continue to accrue over the entire life of the equipment, i.e., through the 20th year.)

3. Estimated increase in revenues earned by the Adirondacks State Park = $ 150 million per year (These additional revenues accrue so long as the sulfur reduction equipment is operating.)

4. Reduced incidence of acid rain in the Adirondacks Park area valued at: = $ 2 million per year. (These benefits begin accruing once the project comes on-line and are assumed to continue over an infinitely long time period.) Assume that the discount rate is 3% per year.

Sensitivity analysis: To determine the sensitivity of your conclusion regarding whether the project makes economic sense or not, (a) evaluate the project at a discount rate of 5% per year, and (b) assume that the estimated increase in Park revenues is $130 million per year instead of $150 million per year. You can assume a discount rate of 3% per year for this. What is your conclusion now?

Policy recommendation: Based on all your calculations, what is your overall recommendation regarding this project?

Using the above information, determine whether the project makes economic sense. Use an EXCEL spreadsheet to answer this question