We test the assumption that harvesting timber for energy production is assumed to have a carbon-neutral effect on climate. Our dynamic multiple-harvest Faustmann optimal rotation model of the Northern Forest and energy production in New Hampshire indicates that it is inappropriate to assume...

This paper examines the role of uncertain crude oil prices, uncertain crop yields, and competition for acreage on corn, soybean, and switchgrass prices under biofuel production mandates. We find enforcement of the cellulosic mandate is costly in that it raises equilibrium prices of all three...

We examine the community characteristics that lead to locating a biodiesel plant. Utilizing data that includes all biodiesel plants in the United States, we employ spatial econometrics to evaluate those characteristics that lead to a plant siting. While public policies associated with biofuels...

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must balance environmental protection of riverine resources with the nation’s growing demand for power production every time it issues a hydroelectric license. This paper models the bureaucratic agency’s decision-making process in issuing...

We quantify the emergence of biofuel markets and its impact on world agriculture using the multimarket, multicommodity international FAPRI model. The model incorporates trade-offs between biofuel, feed, and food production and consumption and international feedback effects of the emergence...

Several offshore wind power projects are under consideration in the United States. A concern with any such project is the visual disamenity it may create. Using a stated preference choice model, we estimated the external costs to residents of the state of Delaware for offshore wind turbines...

Tradable permit schemes introduce uncertainty into the cost of regulatory compliance due to the permits’ uncertain price. Regulated firms can hedge this uncertainty through their contracts for fuel procurement. Data on coal contracts are used to estimate how the option not to be delivered...

Firewood remains a key source of energy for households in developing countries, contributing to forest degradation and deforestation. The adoption of alternative fuels may be hindered by high startup costs, and this problem may be compounded by restrictions in credit availability. We use survey...

To assess the relative importance of current costs and future benefits of nuclear waste storage, we develop a simple model of bequest value. The basic model of nonparternalistic altruism is extended to account for the uncertain nature of the externality. The model is applied estimating the...

Theories of agency behavior are examined via an application to hydropower project relicensing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In the relicensing of each project, fish and wildlife agencies submit recommendations to FERC. FERC then enters a twostage deliberation process for...