摘要：This paper investigates how industry concentration affects the potential for, and frequency of, environmental accidents. We develop a theoretical model and employ probit and count estimation procedures for annual industry data for the years 1992-1994. We find that, ceteris paribus, increased competition reduces the probability, frequency, and relative size of environmental accidents. This finding obtains irrespective of whether concentration is measured by the Herfindahl-Hershman Index, the eight-firm concentration ratio, or the number of firms in an industry. Our results suggest that policies that encourage competition may reduce the number and severity of environmental accidents. Furthermore, there may be unintended consequences to levying environmental taxes on the offending polluting firm. To the extent that such policies may result in exits from an industry, leading to higher levels of industry concentration, the result would be a higher likelihood or frequency of accidents.
关键词：Environmental Accidents; Cournot Competition; US Manufacturing Industries.
