Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

Somewhere in Pennsylvania, a natural gas company is extracting natural gas from a well using hydraulic fracturing. This technology requires the use of large amounts

Somewhere in Pennsylvania, a natural gas company is extracting natural gas from a well using hydraulic fracturing. This technology requires the use of large amounts of water, which they pump out of a nearby river. Downstream from the natural gas well, a farmer also uses water from the river to irrigate his crops. Since the natural gas company has started pumping water out of the river, there isn’t enough flow left in the river to fully irrigate the farmer’s crops. As a result, the farmer is losing large portions of his crops.

a. Using a simple supply and demand diagram, model this negative externality associated with natural gas production. Be sure to show both the competitive and socially optimal equilibrium prices and output of natural gas. Show the increase in economic welfare that would result from moving from the competitive to the socially optimal equilibrium.

b. How might the Pennsylvania state government construct a policy that would induce the natural gas companies to produce the socially optimal amount of natural gas?

Step by Step Solution

3.32 Rating (161 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

a In the supply and demand diagram for natural gas production the negative externality caused by the ... blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image_2

Step: 3

blur-text-image_3

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Business Ethics A Stakeholder And Issues Management Approach

Authors: Joseph W. Weiss

7th Edition

1523091541, 978-1523091546

More Books

Students also viewed these Economics questions