Two firms are ordered by the federal government to reduce their pollution levels. Firm A's marginal costs associated with pollution reduction is MC = 20 1 4Q.
Firm B's marginal costs associated with pollution reduction is MC = 10 1 8Q. The marginal benefit of pollution reduction is MB = 400 - 4Q.
a. What is the socially optimal level of each firm's pollution reduction?
b. Compare the social efficiency of three possible outcomes:
(1) require all firms to reduce pollution by the same amount;
(2) charge a common tax per unit of pollution; or
(3) require all firms to reduce pollution by the same amount, but allow pollution permits to be bought and sold.