Using density-functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation, we investigate the adsorption of oxygen on Rh~111! as a function of coverage Q . At the coverages of 0.25 monolayer ~ML! and 0.5 ML oxygen ~occupying fcc-hollow sites!, the calculated atomic geometries ~interlayer spacings, bond lengths, and lateral displacements! are in excellent agreement with those of previous low...

Once established, invasive species can rapidly and irreversibly alter ecosystems and degrade the value of ecosystem services. Optimal control of an exotic pest solves for a trajectory of removals that minimizes the present value of removal costs and residual damages from the remaining pest population. The shrubby tree, Miconia calvescens, is used to illustrate dynamic policy options for a fores...

Mexico City’s bus rapid transit (BRT) network, Metrobus, was introduced in an attempt to reduce congestion, increase city transport efficiency and cut air polluting emissions. In June 2005, the first BRT line in the metropolitan area began service. We use differences-indifferences and quantile regression techniques in undertaking the first quantitative policy impact assessment of the BRT system...

This paper describes and implements a method for estimating the average marginal value of a time-varying local public good: air quality. It uses the General Social Survey (GSS), which asks thousands of people in various U.S. locations how happy they are, along with other demographic and attitude questions. These data are matched with the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System (AQS...

Climate change not only impacts production and market consumption but also the relative scarcity of nonmarket goods, such as environmental amenities. We study fundamental drivers resulting price changes, their potential magnitude, implications for climate policy in Nordhaus’s Dynamic Integrated Climate-Economy (DICE) model, thereby addressing one its key criticisms. propose plausible ranges the...

We synthesize and review retrospective analyses of federal air quality regulations to examine the contributions Clean Air Act (CAA) vast improvements seen since 1970. Geographic heterogeneity in stringency affects emissions, public health, compliance costs, employment. Cap-and-trade has delivered greater emission reductions at lower cost than conventional mandates, yet fallen short textbook ide...

This paper uses a real options approach to examine the impact of ramping rate restrictions imposed on hydro operations to protect aquatic ecosystems. We consider the effect on hydro plant value in order to inform policy decisions. A novelty of the paper is in examining the optimal operation of a prototype hydro power plant with electricity prices modelled as a regime switching process. We show ...

This paper estimates hedonic price models for a sample of 610 vacation rental houses located in the vicinity of a lake and four-season ski-golf resort. Hedonic semi-logarithmic regression models are estimated for peak summer and peak winter rentals for 2008. The regression estimates for weekly rental prices are conditioned on explanatory variables for house size, house quality, and recreation f...

Livestock supply must challenge the growth of final demand in the developing countries. This challenge has to take into account its ecological effects since the dairy and livestock sectors are clearly pointed out as human activities which contribute significantly to environmental deterioration. Therefore, livestock activity models have to include desirable and undesirable outputs simultaneously...