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Pollution Permit Systems and Firm Dynamics: Does the Allocation Scheme Matter?

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Abstract

Most cap-and-trade systems allocate permits for free. However, they differ dependent on whether closing plants and new entrants get free permits. I use a dynamic model with heterogeneous firms and equilibrium conditions in the output and emission market to quantify the effect on exit/entry, investment and welfare of different allocation rules. I calibrate the model with data from the power plants participating in the US SO2 program and quantify the effects of two allocation schemes: The US SO2 case, in which closing plants keep their permits and new entrants do not get any of them; The EU-ETS case, in which plants lose permits upon exit and new entrants get allowances. If the US switched to the EU-ETS allocation scheme, the price of output would be 1:5% lower, the price of permits 7.6% higher, and there would be a distribution of dirtier and less productive plants. Consumers are better off if the US switched to the EU-ETS system (lower price), while producers are better off with the US SO2 system (higher profits).

Suggested Citation

  • Evangelina Dardati, 2013. "Pollution Permit Systems and Firm Dynamics: Does the Allocation Scheme Matter?," ILADES-UAH Working Papers inv294, Universidad Alberto Hurtado/School of Economics and Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:ila:ilades:inv294
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    Cited by:

    1. Hancevic, Pedro, 2015. "The impact of environmental regulation on productivity: the case of electricity generation under the CAAA-1990," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 211704, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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