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Over-compliance in Point Source Water Pollution

EPA Grant Number: R827972
Title: Over-compliance in Point Source Water Pollution
Investigators: Horowitz, John K.
Institution: University of Maryland - College Park
EPA Project Officer: Clark, Matthew
Project Period: December 15, 1999 through December 15, 2000 (Extended to December 15, 2002)
Project Amount: $59,316
RFA: Decision Making and Valuation for Environmental Policy (1999)
Research Category: Economics and Decision Sciences

Description:

There are four categories of explanations for over-compliance. The project will attempt to determine the extent to which they contribute to observed emissions levels. The four explanations are: (i) the cost of reducing emissions is zero; (ii) plants are compensating for randomness in emissions; (iii) the production technology is not smooth; and (iv) there are non-regulatory benefits of over-complying. For example, if emissions are random, then plants may want to pollute below their limit, on average, to reduce the probability that they will accidentally violate. If this explanation for over-compliance is correct, then plants should choose lower mean emissions, relative to permitted levels, the higher is the emissions variance. Similar statistical tests are developed for the other over-compliance explanations.

Approach:

The project explores these issues through empirical econometric analysis using the PCS data. We develop and test hypotheses based on each of the four explanations, concentrating on (ii) and (iii).

Expected Results:

The explanations have greatly different implications for emissions regulation. For example, the way in which violators are identified and the penalties they are subject to will be an important determinant of emissions if emissions randomness is a major cause of over-compliance. On the other hand, non-regulatory influences, such as community pressure, will be largely unaffected by enforcement strategies. Because of these differences, the intended result is a better general understanding of why plants over-comply with relevant regulations. We hope to learn the specific features of the CleanWater Act that may have contributed to over-compliance. We would also like to know the extent (in a quantitative sense) to which non-regulatory influences have led to lower emissions. These non-regulatory influences could include community, market, and firm-governance pressures.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 9 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

water, chemicals, toxics, effluent, discharge, public policy, cost benefit, business, industry, clean technologies, environmentally conscious manufacturing, , Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, RFA, decision-making, Economics & Decision Making, compliance costs, econometric analysis, public policy, decision analysis, point source water, emission levels, environmental policy, non-regulatory benefits, cost effectiveness, regulations, cost/benefit analysis, over-compliance, effluent, Clean Water Act, economic benefits, economic incentives, environmental values, legal and policy choices

Progress and Final Reports:
2000 Progress Report
2001 Progress Report
Final Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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