Changing Energy Prices and Economic Rents: The Case of Western Coal
研究了能源价格变动产生的各类经济租金，以怀俄明州煤炭为例分析租金随时间的变化，包括准租金消散、铁路和州政府的垄断收入，为能源政策辩论提供参考。
This paper examines various types of economic rents that are generated by changing energy prices and, in the case of Wyoming coal, analyzes how these rents have changed over time. In particular, quasi-rents did accrue to firms producing coal and coal miners, but were dissipated. Monopoly revenues appear to have been received by railroads and state governments. Price discrimination by railroads against coal consumers represents a source of present and future monopoly revenues, while a state severance tax rate that is not linked to likely declines over time in social-impact costs represents another. The analysis highlights some questions that ought to be raised in public policy debates over energy policy. 11 references, 2 figures.