WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: POLICY ECONOMICS FOR AN ERA OF TRANSITIONS

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

THE USE OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY: THE CASE OF THE DUCK RIVER PROJECT

Public Economics,

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF FARMING: THINKING ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE

What an economist argues about managing the hazards of new production technologies depends on that individual's beliefs about the scientific credibility of assessed risk of new technologies, about the meaning of voluntary risk and compensations, and about the meaning of "progress" and "nature." None of these beliefs is derived from the core of the economics discipline. Indeed, the economist's arguments often rest not on economic considerations, but on these matters of belief that are established outside the discipline.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Past, Present, and Future of Wetlands Credit Sales

In this paper we review the evolution of the wetlands credit sales program developed to support the federal wetlands permit program. Then, we explain how the regulatory rules governing the overall permit program, as well as specific rules governing credit sales, have prevented the development of robust markets in credit buying and selling. Based on this review, we identify an alternative institutional structure that would apply marketlike principles to expand the quantity of and lower the prices of credits while ensuring that wetlands credit sales help move the nation toward its goal: no net loss of wetlands acres and functions.wetlands mitigation, wetlands banking, environmental markets, Clean Water Act

The Contribution of Nonmarket Valuation to Policy: The Case of Nonfederal Hydropower Relicensing

The contribution of nonmarket valuation studies to decisions about the operation of nonfederal hydroelectric facilities is examined. Hydropower licensing reforms by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to better weigh market and nonmarket tradeoffs did not require or use nonmarket valuation. License negotiation processes are interpreted as a substitute for valuation.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY REFORM: A TAXONOMY OF ECONOMISTS' PERSPECTIVES

As the environmental policy recommendations of economists become more acceptable, differences in the professional understanding of, and support for, different policy forms are becoming more apparent. These different approaches to environmental policy and research are described around a taxonomy of four perspectives: "rational analysts," "cost analysts", "market managers," and "free market environmentalists." These perspectives are compared and contrasted. Recognition of these differences can result in a better appreciation of the different research agendas of economists and can improve clarity in teaching and policy advising.Economic incentives, Environmental policy, Regulation, Environmental Economics and Policy,

The Use and Opportunity of Cooperative Organizational Forms as an Innovative Regulatory Tool Under the Clean Water Act

Numerous reforms to introduce financial incentives and flexibility into the Clean Water Act have been proposed. Cooperative organizational forms that consolidate multiple regulated entities under a single organizational umbrella are an overlooked, but potentially useful avenue for reform. In concept, these new organizational forms would function much like a farmer cooperative using coordination and consolidation to lower input costs to its members. Illustrations of how cooperative organizational forms can be used to lower costs and enhance regulatory flexibility in both the water quality and wetland programs are provided.Environmental Economics and Policy,