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Water Innovation and Water Governance: Adaptive Responses to Regulatory Change and Extreme Weather Events

Author

Listed:
  • Hongxiu Li

    (Department of Economics, University of Waterloo)

  • Horatiu Rus

    (Department of Economics, University of Waterloo)

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of federal and state level regulatory changes with respect to drinking water quality, water pollution and water quantity in the United States on the level of relevant technological innovation. We construct and use a unique dataset covering major amendments and additions to regulated contaminants lists as stipulated in the legislative acts most relevant to the policy area we study, along with a list of technological patents pertaining to water quality and quantity over a period of more than 30 years. We find in general the impact of water regulation on innovation to be both statistically and economically significant.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongxiu Li & Horatiu Rus, 2018. "Water Innovation and Water Governance: Adaptive Responses to Regulatory Change and Extreme Weather Events," Working Papers 1801, University of Waterloo, Department of Economics, revised Jan 2018.
    • Handle: RePEc:wat:wpaper:1801
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q31 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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