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The Renewable Fuel Standard: Market and Welfare Effects of Alternative Policy Scenarios

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  • Moschini, GianCarlo
  • Lapan, Harvey
  • Kim, Hyunseok

Abstract

We construct a tractable multi-market equilibrium model designed to evaluate alternative biofuel policies. The model integrates the US agricultural sector with the energy sector, and explicitly consider both US ethanol and biodiesel production. The model provides a careful structural representation of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) policies, and it uses the arbitrage conditions defining the core value of renewable identification number (RIN) prices to identify the relevant competitive equilibrium conditions. The model is parameterized, based on elasticities and technical coefficients from the literature, to represent observed 2015 data. The parameterized model is simulated to analyze alternative scenarios, including: repeal of the RFS; projected 2022 RFS mandates; and, optimal (second best) mandates. The results confirm that the current RFS program considerably benefits the agriculture sector, but also leads to overall welfare gains for the United States (mostly via beneficial terms of trade effects). Implementation of projected 2022 mandates, which would require further expansion of biodiesel production, would lead to a considerable welfare loss (relative to the status quo). Constrained optimal mandates would entail more corn-based ethanol and less biodiesel than in both the status quo and the projected 2022 scenario.

Suggested Citation

  • Moschini, GianCarlo & Lapan, Harvey & Kim, Hyunseok, 2016. "The Renewable Fuel Standard: Market and Welfare Effects of Alternative Policy Scenarios," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235721, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea16:235721
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.235721
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    1. Johnson, David R. & Geldner, Nathan B. & Liu, Jing & Baldos, Uris Lantz & Hertel, Thomas, 2023. "Reducing US biofuels requirements mitigates short-term impacts of global population and income growth on agricultural environmental outcomes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).

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    Agricultural and Food Policy; Environmental Economics and Policy; International Relations/Trade;
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