Two firms are ordered by the federal government to reduce their pollution levels.
Firm A’s marginal costs associated with pollution reduction is MC = 150 + 3Q.
Firm B’s marginal costs associated with pollution reduction is MC = 9Q.
The marginal benefit of pollution reduction is MB = 270.
a. What is the socially optimal level of each firm’s pollution reduction?
QA=40, QB=30
b. Compare the social efficiency of three possible outcomes:
(1) require both firms to reduce pollution by the same amount;
(2) charge a common tax per unit of pollution;
(3) require both firms to reduce pollution by the same amount, but allow pollution permits to be bought and sold.