Suppose That Electricity Producers Create a Negative Externality Equal to $5

question 425

Multiple Choice

Suppose that electricity producers create a negative externality equal to $5 per unit.What is the relationship between the equilibrium quantity and the socially optimal quantity of electricity to be produced?

• A) They are equal.
• B) The equilibrium quantity is greater than the socially optimal quantity.
• C) The equilibrium quantity is less than the socially optimal quantity.
• D) There is not enough information to answer the question.

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Definitions:

Fed

Short for the Federal Reserve, which is the central banking system of the United States, responsible for monetary policy.

Externalities

Costs or benefits that affect parties who did not choose to incur that cost or benefit, often leading to market failure if unaddressed.

Moral Hazard

A situation in which one party engages in risky behavior or lacks incentive to guard against risk because another party bears the consequences.

Moral Hazard

The situation in which one party can take risks because they know that they will not have to bear the full consequences of their actions.