Assessing Multi-Dimensional Performance: Environmental and Economic Outcomes

Ron Shadbegian and Wayne Gray

Working Papers from U.S. Census Bureau, Center for Economic Studies

Abstract: This study examines the determinants of environmental and economic performance for plants in three traditional smoke-stack industries: pulp and paper, oil, and steel. We combine data from Census Bureau and EPA databases and Compustat on the economic performance, regulatory activity and environmental performance on air and water pollution emissions and toxic releases. We find that plants with higher labor productivity tend to have lower emissions. Regulatory enforcement actions (but not inspections) are associated with lower emissions, and state-level political support for environmental issues is associated with lower water pollution and toxic releases. There is little evidence that plants owned by larger firms perform better, nor do older plants perform worse.

Keywords: Environmental Performance; Labor Productivity; Emissions; Enforcement Activity; Technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2005-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eff, nep-ene and nep-env
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www2.census.gov/ces/wp/2005/CES-WP-05-03.pdf First version, 2005 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Assessing multi-dimensional performance: environmental and economic outcomes (2006)
Working Paper: Assessing Multi-Dimensional Performance: Environmental and Economic Outcomes (2005)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cen:wpaper:05-03

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