Suppose That Electricity Producers Create a Negative Externality Equal to $6

question 525

Multiple Choice

Suppose that electricity producers create a negative externality equal to $6 per unit. Further suppose that the government imposes a $8 per-unit tax on the producers. What is the relationship between the after-tax equilibrium quantity and the socially optimal quantity of electricity to be produced?

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

---

Definitions:

Corporate Bankruptcy

Corporate bankruptcy is a legal process that allows financially troubled companies to restructure or eliminate their debts under the protection of the bankruptcy court.

Unsecured Creditors

Individuals or institutions that lend money without obtaining specific assets as collateral, ranking behind secured creditors in the event of bankruptcy.

Financial Leverage

Rephrased: Utilizing debt to finance additional assets, with the aim of increasing returns to equity holders, while also increasing financial risk.

Interest Tax Shield

The decrease in what one owes in income taxes by removing the cost of debt interest from the taxable income figure.