Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Economics
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
August 17, 2017
Committee Members:
Douglas Harvey Wrenn II, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor Douglas Harvey Wrenn II, Committee Chair/Co-Chair Edward C Jaenicke, Committee Member Timothy Wayne Kelsey, Committee Member Joel Reid Landry, Outside Member
Keywords:
Unconventional Energy Energy Demand Tax Shifting Welfare Candy Tax Obesity Energy Tax Municipal Finance Shale Gas
Abstract:
Growth in the production of gas from shale reserves and increases in obesity rates over the past decade have catapulted energy and food policy discussion to the forefront. This dissertation analyzes three recently enacted or proposed energy and food policies. In the first essay, we consider the welfare effects of Pennsylvania’s proposed natural gas severance tax. In the second essay, we explore how Colorado’s candy tax has changed candy purchases. In the final essay, we explore the local public finance effects of both the shale gas boom and Pennsylvania’s Natural Gas Impact Fee.
