Public Economics Commons^™

Can Price Controls Be Optimal? The Economics Of The Energy Shock In Germany, Tom Krebs, Isabella M. Weber

Economics Department Working Paper Series

In the wake of the global energy crisis, many European countries used energy price controls to fight inflation and to stabilize the economy. Despite its wide adoption, many economists remained skepti- cal. In this paper, we argue that price controls should be part of the policy toolbox to respond to shocks to systemically important sectors because not using them can have large economic and polit- ical costs. We put forward our arguments in two steps. In a first step, we analyze the impact on the German economy and society of the global energy crisis that followed Russia’s attack on Ukraine …

Environmental Justice And Carbon Pricing: Can They Be Reconciled?, James K. Boyce, Michael Ash, Brent Ranalli

ETI Publications

Carbon pricing has been criticized by environmental justice advocates on the grounds that it fails to reduce emissions significantly, fails to reduce the disproportionate impacts of hazardous co-pollutants on people of color and low-income communities, hits low-income households harder than wealthier households, and commodifies nature. Designing carbon pricing policy to address these concerns can yield outcomes that are both more effective and more equitable.

Unequal Gradients: Sex, Skin Tone, And Intergenerational Economic Mobility, Luis Monroy-Gómez-Franco, Roberto Vélez-Grajales, Gastón Yalonetzky

Economics Department Working Paper Series

We study how the intersection between skin tone and sex shapes intergenerational mobility of economic resources in Mexico. Using two recent social mobility surveys, we estimate the rank persistence and transition matrices by sex combined with skin tone groups. First, we find no differences in intergenerational mobility patterns between light-skin men and women. Second, the colorist mobility pattern observed in previous literature affects men and women differently. Namely, while women of intermediate and dark-skin tonalities have a lower expected rank than their light-skin peers, only men of the darkest tonalities suffer from the same penalization. Thirdly, women of intermediate and …

Data-Driven Decarbonization Of Residential Heating Systems: An Equity Perspective., John Wamburu, Emma Grazier, David Irwin, Christine Crago, Prashant Shenoy

Publications

Since heating buildings using natural gas, propane and oil makes up a significant proportion of the aggregate carbon emissions every year, there is a strong interest in decarbonizing residential heating systems using new technologies such as electric heat pumps. In this poster, we conduct a data-driven optimization study to analyze the potential of replacing gas heating with electric heat pumps to reduce carbon emissions in a city-wide distribution grid. We seek to not only reduce the carbon footprint of residential heating, but also show how to do so equitably. Our results show that lower income homes have an energy usage …

The State-Constituted Market Economy: A Conceptual Framework For China’S State–Market Relations, Isabella Weber, Hao Qi

Economics Department Working Paper Series

Scholars increasingly conclude that China has created a distinct economic system. Yet despite a growing literature with valuable contributions on the institutional arrangements under ‘capitalism with Chinese characteristics’, the economic mechanisms underpinning China’s state–market relations remain undertheorised. In this paper we develop a conceptual framework of what we call China’s state-constituted market economy. We argue that the Chinese state ‘constitutes’ the market economy by not only creating new markets through industrial and innovation policies, but by continuously participating and steering markets for essentials in order to stabilise and guide the economy as a whole. Essential is thereby defined as ‘systemically …

Complexity, Diversity And Integration: Evidence From Recent Us Immigration, Noé Wiener

Economics Department Working Paper Series

This article proposes alternative measures of immigrant integration founded in information theory. By considering differences in the heterogeneity of outcomes between immigrants and natives, the proposed measures provide robust and non-parametric estimates of the extent to which cohorts remain defined by their national origin. Integration is furthermore premised on equality in the association between economic characteristics and incomes, so that other factors can begin to shape outcomes for im-migrants and natives alike. Results for successive immigrant cohorts in the post-war era are presented using Census income data for the United States. The speed by which the mark of migration on …

An Empirical Investigation Of Real Farm Incomes Across Indian States Between 1987-88 And 2011-12, Deepankar Basu, Kartik Misra

Economics Department Working Paper Series

Using unit-level data from various rounds of the Employment and Unemployment Survey of the National Sample Survey Organisation, we present the first consistent time series of average real farm income per cultivator for 18 major Indian states for 1987-88, 1993-94, 1999-00, 2004-05, 2007-08, 2009-10, and 2011-12. Using this data, we study two sets of issues. First, how did real farm income evolve across these 18 Indian states? Which states have high levels and growth rates of real farm incomes? Is there any evidence for convergence of real farm incomes across Indian states? We find evidence for unconditional convergence, which suggests …

A Perspective On Equity Implications Of Net Zero Energy Systems, Erin Baker, Inês Ml Azevedo

Publications

We present examples of energy inequity, in both the current system and in potential net zero systems, and lay out some research needs in order to center equity in the study of net zero energy systems.

•Our current energy systems are inequitable across several dimensions.

•We must recognize and address barriers to a just and equitable net zero energy system.

•We highlight inequities in energy burden and energy insecurity; health consequences of the energy system; and decision making power.

•There is a need to define, quantify, and explicitly model equity outcomes in net zero systems.

•There is a need to …

Syllabus: Introduction To Permaculture, Lisa Depiano

Sustainability Education Resources

The Permaculture Design Course is a three-credit course that offers students a foundation in permaculture history, ethics, principles, design process, and practical applications. The framework behind the theory and practice of permaculture is rooted in the observation of natural systems. By observing key ecological relationships, we can mimic and apply these beneficial relationships in the design of systems that serve humans while helping to restore the natural world. This course trains students as critical thinkers, observers, and analysts of the world(s) around them, and then goes on to provide students with the tools needed to design for inspired and positive …

Investigating The Ability Of Pro-Social Emotions To Enhance Cooperative Behavior, Lucía A. Vergara Sobarzo

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

This research investigates the use of pro-social emotions to improve cooperation. In particular, it tries to reconcile the results from Noussair and Tucker (2007) and Lopez et al. (2010). To reach this goal the experiment considers different degrees of revelation: no revelation, partial and full disclosure of information. Additionally, I use different microeconometric specifications to accommodate different hypothesis about the motivation of the subjects.

My results diverge from those of Lopez et al. because I find that revealing the decision of a single subject at random does not significantly increase cooperation, which is the main result of these authors. Also, …

Connecticut River Economic Adjustment Project, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this study was to inventory various environmental and economic criteria for the region. In the second phase the data was analyzed for implications for development potential. In phase three the Net Available Land Analysis methodology will be allied on the town level to two towns that meet one or more of the three Economic Development Administration criteria. The region chosen was Enfield, Connecticut and Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Economic Development And Planning Report, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report identifies the planning and economic development needs of the tristate region between the Blackstone River Valley and Quinebaug-Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridors in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The Economic Impact Of Housing Investment Through The Community Preservation Act In Boston, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report attempts to look at the need for affordable housing and economic impacts of housing in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Its premise is that the economic impact of housing is significant and involves a multitude of factors, from the monetary effects of the construction process to the impact of personal income on the local economy.

Open Spaces And Recreation Plan: Berkley, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The goal of this report was to preserve the country character of Berkley, Massachusetts; to protect the precious resources of air, water, soil and habitats; and to provide the public access to the rivers, forests and fields.

A View To A Mountain, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this report was to examine the feasibility of submerging the overhead utilities that run along downtown streets, Main, Union, and Cottage, in the City of Easthampton, Massachusetts. To achieve this purpose, our team investigated the steps involved with submerging utilities and how the City of Easthampton might go through this process.

Erving Usher Plant Revitalization, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this report was to make a plan to revitalize the Usher Plant in Erving, Massachusetts. The potential uses for the space are secondary to the question of structural integrity and extent of environmental contamination. The report raises these issues and gives some recommendations on how to proceed towards a resolution.

Lynn Telecom Studio Report, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report was put together to assess current economic and demographic conditions of Lynn, Massachusetts, and identify Lynn’s telecommunications infrastructure. The report also surveyed business’s stock in Lynn, while proposing recommendations for using telecommunications for economic development. Finally, the report wraps up by using the city of Lynn as a case study for other communities.

Economic Development Of Erving, Massachusetts, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report presents information on Erving, Massachusetts’ economy and main economic development issues. It begins with an analysis of demographic, labor, and employment statistics, then discusses some key issues that pose challenges to and provide opportunities for future development. It concludes with recommendations for taking action to address challenges and to seize opportunities.

Town Of Amesbury, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report explored the town of Amesbury, Massachusetts. Amesbury’s municipal government was supported by diverse citizen groups and business organizations. The town was a suburban community with abundant natural resources and a delightful village core.

Town Of Boxford, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report explores the town of Boxford, Massachusetts. Boxford is a unique rural community in the Merrimack Valley and the Boston metropolitan area. It has no traffic lights, sidewalks or signs, and very few streetlights, or commercial or industrial activity. Because of its 50-year old 2-acre zoning and close proximity to Boston, which contribute to its high housing costs, this community is out of reach for most Massachusetts residents.

Town Of Lawrence, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report takes a look at the town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Lawrence, originally a rural farming town, was transformed into a major industrial center when Boston Entrepreneurs developed huge textile mills on the Merrimack River to use the power of its water falls. The mill owners built canals, a dam and reservoir, boarding houses and a machine shop for locomotives, creating one of the first industrial complexes in the country.

Town Of Andover, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Andover is a suburban community of 32 square miles with a population of 29,000. The town is located just 20 miles south of Boston at the intersection of I-93 and I-495. With easy access to the city and Logan Airport, Andover is home to many of the largest high-technology firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Raytheon, Digital, Gillette, and Genetics Institute.

Town Of Georgetown, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report focuses on the town of Georgetown, Massachusetts. While it was still widely forested, with many acres of open and recreation land, the town also had a walkable village core as well as industrial and commercial development. The town was renowned for its thriving antique industry and also boasted an organ manufacturing company, a supermarket and an expanding public golf and country club.

Town Of Merrimac, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Starting out as a farming and maritime community in the 1600’s, Merrimac, Massachusetts became an active manufacturing community through the 19^th century with thirty-one different carriage factories, and today has developed into principally a residential community.

Town Of Methuen, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Methuen, Massachusetts played a significant role in this country’s industrial revolution, which began in the Merrimack Valley. In the mid-to late 19^th century, mills along the Spicket River and Spicket Falls produced hats, shoes, and textiles.

Town Of Salisbury, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Salisbury, Massachusetts has the history and the skeleton of a typical New England village, but has lost much of the identifiable character to post 1950 regulated development. (Town of Salisbury Local Partnership Committee Economic Development Plan, 1996) Today Salisbury has two identifiable centers. The historic town center, known as Salisbury Square, and the Salisbury Beach…

Town Of Groveland, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report takes a look at Groveland, Massachusetts. Groveland is a small residential community that retains all of the characteristics of a friendly rural town in the setting of a convenient suburb. The town was incorporated in 1850, and changed gradually from an agricultural community to one that is almost wholly residential.

Town Of Newburyport, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Newburyport is a diverse and thriving city that harmonizes commercial, residential and industrial needs. Nestled on the shores where the Merrimack River meets the Atlantic Ocean Newburyport is among the smallest cities in the state.

Moving Toward The Millennium With Open Space In Huntington, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report includes presentation and examination of community, environmental and conservation/recreation issues. The information is then analyzed according to the needs of the town and incorporated into recommendations for future action.

Laying The Groundwork: Preparing For A Master Plan In Deerfield, Ma, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

In April of 1998 a Master Plan Committee was established to start work toward the first Master Plan for Deerfield, Massachusetts. A major catalyst for this decision was chronic septic failure throughout much of Deerfield. This failure raised the question of whether or not Deerfield should expand its public sewer. Expanding the system would solve the immediate problem of septic failure, but could potentially encourage unwanted development and create a new cycle of problems.