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Assessing Multi-Dimensional Performances: Environmental and Economic Outcomes

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  • Shadbegian, Ronald J.
  • Gray, Wayne B.

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of environmental and economic performance for plants in three traditional smoke-stack industries: pulp and paper, oil, and steel. We combine data from Census Bureau and EPA databases and Compustat on the economic performance, regulatory activity and environmental performance on air and water pollution emissions and toxic releases. We find that plants with higher labor productivity tend to have lower emissions. Regulatory enforcement actions (but not inspections) are associated with lower emissions, and state-level political support for environmental issues is associated with lower water pollution and toxic releases. There is little evidence that plants owned by larger firms perform better, nor do older plants perform worse.

Suggested Citation

  • Shadbegian, Ronald J. & Gray, Wayne B., 2005. "Assessing Multi-Dimensional Performances: Environmental and Economic Outcomes," National Center for Environmental Economics-NCEE Working Papers 280842, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:nceewp:280842
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.280842
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental Economics and Policy; Labor and Human Capital;

    JEL classification:

    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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