Externalities

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the positive and negative externalities of the energy industry. It claims that the unique economic characteristic of this industry is that, on a whole, the industry is fairly black and white regards to externalities. The paper explains that its performance metrics can be, at one and the same time, construed as being both positive and negative externality speaking.

From the Paper:

"Externalities exist in all areas of the economy and in all industries. The energy industry is no exception to this rule. While none could argue that the energy industry is both vital to the Nation's and the world's economy, it is, at the same time, detrimental to the global environment. Often, the negative externalities prove difficult to quantify in any real terms, thus making them problematic when attempting to determine causality and thus formulate a solution. Since the positive externalities in the energy industry, such as high returns for shareholders, widespread access to cheap transportation, and cheap electricity, are very easily quantified and very clearly related to the industry, positive externalities are given economic priority. However, a balance must be achieved between the energy industry's positive and negative externalities or the long-term price of its current positive attributes will prove unsustainable. In a recent article on the energy industry, Bodman points out that ..."

More papers on Externalities:

• Term Paper # 127775 : "Dealing with a Negative Externality"
• Term Paper # 101703 : "Bernard Williams and External Reasons"
• Essay # 72470 : "The External Marketing Environment "

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: