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Environmental implications of market structure: Shale gas and electricity markets

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  • Knittel, Christopher R.
  • Metaxoglou, Konstantinos
  • Trindade, André

Abstract

We examine the environmental implications of market structure using the exogenous variation in the price of natural gas paid by U.S. electric power producers in the aftermath of the Shale Boom. We find that electric power producers were more responsive to fuel prices in vertically integrated markets than in restructured markets, and we explore the underlying factors driving this heterogeneity in responses. Although differences in the capacity of the most efficient gas power plants between the two market structures are the most important factor, we consider others. The heterogeneity in the response of power plant operators to fuel prices has material implications for carbon dioxide emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Knittel, Christopher R. & Metaxoglou, Konstantinos & Trindade, André, 2019. "Environmental implications of market structure: Shale gas and electricity markets," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 511-550.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:indorg:v:63:y:2019:i:c:p:511-550
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijindorg.2018.12.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonathan E. Hughes & Ian Lange, 2020. "Who (Else) Benefits From Electricity Deregulation? Coal Prices, Natural Gas, And Price Discrimination," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(3), pages 1053-1075, July.
    2. Correa, Juan A. & Gómez, Marcos & Luengo, Andrés & Parro, Francisco, 2021. "Environmental misallocation in the copper industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    3. Alexander Hill, 2023. "Price freezes and gas pass-through: an estimation of the price impact of electricity market restructuring," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 87-116, April.
    4. Christopher R. Knittel & Konstantinos Metaxoglou & Anson Soderbery & André Trindade, 2022. "Exporting global warming? Coal trade and the shale gas boom," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(3), pages 1294-1333, August.
    5. Bigerna, Simona & D'Errico, Maria Chiara & Polinori, Paolo, 2022. "Environmental variables and power firms' productivity: micro panel estimation with time-Invariant variables," MPRA Paper 114157, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Market structure; Environment; Coal displacement; Emissions; Electricity markets; Natural gas; Utilities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects

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