74th International Atlantic Economic Conference

October 04 - 07, 2012 | Montréal, Canada

Economics of groundwater policy: Quantity and quality issues

Friday, October 5, 2012: 4:55 PM
Keith Willett, Ph.D. , Economics and Legal Studies in Business, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Sanchari Ghosh, Ph.D. , Boise State University, Boise, ID
The purpose of this paper is to examine a range of alternative economic incentive-based policies to manage the joint quantity-quality groundwater resource problem.  First we develop and analyze a model of groundwater exploitation for an exhaustible aquifer that is used as a common property resource in the presence of a groundwater pollutant.  Next we use the information evolving from this work to suggest policies based on a range of economic incentives. The particular incentive examined is based on a second-best tax policy which evolves from the standards and charges approach.