A BEJEAP Topics article.

Abstract

Voluntary measures have traditionally been evaluated using a similar framework regardless of their structure. The framework assumes that the measure provides partners with a treatment (information, research support, etc.) that will not be transferred to non-partners. In this framework, a voluntary measure is said to be worthwhile if differences are significant between the behavior of partners and non-partners, correcting for the potential endogeneity of becoming a partner. However, voluntary measures take many different forms, some which are expected to have transfers to non-partners (spillovers). The Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C2P2) is a U.S. voluntary program with a structure that is likely to provide treatment spillovers to non-partners. This paper evaluates C2P2 and tests whether treatment spillovers are affecting non-partners' behavior. Results are consistent with a program that would traditionally be considered unsuccessful, but the consideration of treatment spillovers makes it consistent with a successful program.

Submitted: January 18, 2009 · Accepted: July 7, 2009 · Published: September 3, 2009

Recommended Citation

Lange, Ian (2009) "Evaluating Voluntary Measures with Treatment Spillovers: The Case of Coal Combustion Products Partnership," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy: Vol. 9 : Iss. 1 (Topics), Article 36.
DOI: 10.2202/1935-1682.2186
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/bejeap/vol9/iss1/art36

Related Files

c2p2do.txt (26 kB)
Stata Do File