Water Pollution Taxes: A Good Idea Doomed to Failure?

Public Finance and Management, Vol. 1, 2003

33 Pages Posted: 19 Nov 2003

Abstract

Water pollution taxes, or effluent fees, have long been advocated by environmental economists as a regulatory approach to cost effectively achieve water quality improvements. The article reviews the arguments in favor of taxes and traces the history of the idea in U.S. policy debates. Particular attention is given to the institutional challenges presented by a tax system and its application in watershed contexts where transport phenomena are important. The article also addresses the question of why effluent taxes are so rarely seen in practice.

Suggested Citation

Boyd, James William, Water Pollution Taxes: A Good Idea Doomed to Failure?. Public Finance and Management, Vol. 1, 2003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=461530 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.461530

James William Boyd (Contact Author)

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