The higher price of cleaner fuels: Market power in the rail transport of fuel ethanol

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management
Year: 2011
Volume: 62
Issue: 2
Pages: 123-139

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper provides evidence of market power in the transportation of ethanol used in reformulated gasoline and alternative transportation fuels. I estimate a reduced form model for railroad route-level prices. My identification strategy instruments for railroad entry, controls for selection and explicitly models capacity constraints. A detailed understanding of this industry is important because U.S. environmental policies seek to substantially expand ethanol use. Evidence of market power may alter the types of policies pursued by lawmakers. I find that ethanol shipment prices are lower for more competitive routes. I also find evidence that railroads price discriminate based on environmental regulation at route destinations. Monopolist prices for shipments to carbon monoxide non-attainment areas are 3% higher than shipments to other destinations. This price premium falls sharply with increased competition. This suggests a perverse result where environmental regulation increases the price of a clean input.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeeman:v:62:y:2011:i:2:p:123-139
Journal Field
Environment
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-02-02