5. Correcting for negative externalities - Regulation versus tradablepermits 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 ermits. 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 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 First Unit of Pollution (Dollars) Cost of Eliminating the... Second Unit of Pollution (Dollars) Firm Firm X Third Unit of Pollution (Dollars) 200 95 120 Firm Y 450 800 1,050 Firm z 80 100 150 Now, imagine that two government employees proposed alternative plans for reducing pollution by 6 units. Method 1: Regulation The first goverment employee suggests limiting pollution through regulation. To meet the pollution goal, the government requires each firm to reduce its pollution by 2 units Type here to search O 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 z units. Total Cost of Eliminating Two Units of Pollution (Dollars) Firm Firm X Firmy Firm z Method 2 Tradable Permits Meanwhile, the other employee proposes using a different strategy to achieve the government's goal of reducing pollution in the area from 12 units to units. This employee suggests that the government issue two pollution permits to each firm. For each permit a firm has in its possession, it can emit 1 unit of pollution Forms are free to trade pollution permits with one another that is buy and sell them as long as both firms can agree on a price. 7:03 al Method 2: Tradable Permits Meanwhile, the other employee proposes using a different strategy to achieve the government's goal of reducing pollution in the area from 12 units to 6 units. This employee suggests that the government issue two pollution permits to each firm. For each permit a firm has in its possession, it can emit 1 unit of pollution. Firms are free to trade pollution permits with one another (that is, buy and sell them) as long as both firms can agree on a price. For example, if firm X agrees to sell a permit to firm Y at an agreed-upon price, then firm y would end up with three permits and would need to reduce its pollution by only 1 unit while firm X would end up with only one permit and would have to reduce its pollution by 3 units. Assume the negotiation and exchange of permits are costless. Because firm Y has high pollution-reduction costs, it thinks it might be better off buying a permit from firm Z and a permit from firm X so that it doesn't have to reduce its own pollution emissions. At which of the following prices is firm Z willing to sell one of its permits to firm Y, but firm X is not? Check all that apply. U 90 U $178 U 5186 5451 O 5529 Suppose the the government has set the trading price of a permit at $326 per permit. Complete the following table with the action each firm will take at this permit price, the amount of pollution each firm will eliminate, and the amount it costs each firm to reduce pollution to the necessary level. If a firm is willing to buy two permits, assume that it buys one permit from each of the other firms. (Hint: Do not include the prices paid for permits in the cost of reducing pollution.) Initial Pollution Permit Allocation (Units of pollution) Final Amount of Pollution Eliminated (Units of pollution) Cost of Pollution Reduction (Dollars) Firm Action Firm K Buy one permit Firm 2 Y Buy two permits Firm z 2 Don't buy sell Regulation Versus Tradable Permits Sell one permit Sell two permits