Suppose that there are three power-generating plants,all of which generate emissions.The table summarizes the cost of emission reduction for each firm given five different levels of pollution: $$\begin{array} { l l l l l r }
\text { Tons of smoke emitted per day } & 4 & 3 & 2 & 1 & 0 \
\text { Total abatement cost, firm A } & 0 & \$ 14 & \$ 30 & \$ 50 & \$ 75 \
\text { Total abatement cost, firm B } & 0 & \$ 20 & \$ 45 & \$ 80 & \$ 120 \
\text { Total abatement cost, firm C } & 0 & \$ 25 & \$ 60 & \$ 100 & \$ 150
\end{array}$$
In general,all three firms face _____ costs of abatement,suggesting that the principle of _____ applies to pollution abatement.

Question

Suppose that there are three power-generating plants,all of which generate emissions.The table summarizes the cost of emission reduction for each firm given five different levels of pollution: $$\begin{array} { l l l l l r } 
\text { Tons of smoke emitted per day } & 4 & 3 & 2 & 1 & 0 \
\text { Total abatement cost, firm A } & 0 & \$ 14 & \$ 30 & \$ 50 & \$ 75 \
\text { Total abatement cost, firm B } & 0 & \$ 20 & \$ 45 & \$ 80 & \$ 120 \
\text { Total abatement cost, firm C } & 0 & \$ 25 & \$ 60 & \$ 100 & \$ 150
\end{array}$$
In general,all three firms face _____ costs of abatement,suggesting that the principle of _____ applies to pollution abatement.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The marginal cost of abatement is the cost of reducing emissions by one unit. For all three firms, the marginal cost of abatement increases as the level of pollution decreases. This suggests that the principle of low-hanging-fruit applies to pollution abatement, meaning that it is easier and cheaper to reduce emissions by a small amount than by a large amount.

Suppose That There Are Three Power-Generating Plants,all of Which Generate