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Man vs. Machine: Technological Promise and Political Limits of Automated Regulation Enforcement

Author

Listed:
  • Oliver Browne
  • Ludovica Gazze
  • Michael Greenstone
  • Olga Rostapshova

Abstract

New technologies allow perfect detection of environmental violations at near-zero marginal cost, but take-up is low. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate enforcement of water conservation rules with smart meters in Fresno, CA. Households were randomly assigned combinations of enforcement method (automated or in-person inspections) and fines. Automated enforcement increased households’ punishment rates from 0.1 to 14%, decreased summer water use by 3%, and reduced violations by 17%, while higher fine levels had little effect. However, automated enforcement also increased customer complaints by 1,102%, ultimately causing its cancellation and highlighting that political considerations limit technological solutions to enforcement challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver Browne & Ludovica Gazze & Michael Greenstone & Olga Rostapshova, 2023. "Man vs. Machine: Technological Promise and Political Limits of Automated Regulation Enforcement," NBER Working Papers 30816, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30816
    Note: EEE
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    Cited by:

    1. Wietelman, Derek & Wichman, Casey & Brent, Daniel A., 2025. "Conservation and Distributional Consequences of Pricing Scarce Water During Droughts," RFF Working Paper Series 25-07, Resources for the Future.
    2. Jin, Xin, 2025. "Regulation automation and green innovation: Evidence from China's industrial firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    3. João Pedro Vieira & Ricardo Dahis & Juliano Assunção, 2023. "The Role of Sanctions and Spillovers in Forest Conservation," Monash Economics Working Papers 2023-16, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    4. Juliette Caucheteux & Sam Fankhauser & Sugandha Srivastav, 2025. "Climate Change Mitigation Policies for Developing Countries," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 19(1), pages 69-89.
    5. Vieira, João Pedro & Dahis, Ricardo & Assunção, Juliano, 2023. "From Deforestation to Reforestation: The Role of General Deterrence in Changing Farmers' Behavior," SocArXiv vqpkm, Center for Open Science.
    6. Vollaard, Ben & van Soest, Daan, 2024. "Punishment to promote prosocial behavior: a field experiment," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water

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