PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Earnhart, Dietrich
TI  - The Effects of Community Characteristics on Polluter Compliance Levels
AID  - 10.2307/3654729
DP  - 2004 Aug 01
TA  - Land Economics
PG  - 408--432
VI  - 80
IP  - 3
4099  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/80/3/408.short
4100  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/80/3/408.full
SO  - Land Econ2004 Aug 01; 80
AB  - This paper analyzes the effects of community characteristics on compliance levels—emissions relative to effluent limits—at polluting facilities. In particular, it examines both direct effects and indirect effects; the second type of effects represents the linking of two related effects: (1) effects of community characteristics on regulatory decisions to intervene against specific facilities with inspections and penalties; and (2) effects of regulatory interventions on facility compliance levels. Estimation reveals (1) community characteristics significantly affect both regulatory interventions and facility performance; (2) direct effects and indirect effects are generally comparable in magnitude; and (3) total effects are economically meaningful. (JEL Q25)