Abstract. Meta-analysis is used to determine if there are factors that systematically affect price elasticity estimates in studies of residential water demand in the United States. An econometric model is estimated, using price elasticity estimates from previous studies as the dependent variable. Explanatory variables include functional form, cross-sectional versus time series, water price specification, rate structure, location, season, and estimation technique. Inclusion of income, rainfall, and evapotranspiration are all found to influence the estimate of the price elasticity. Population density, household size, and temperature do not significantly influence the estimate of the price elasticity. Pricing structure and season are, also found to significantly influence the estimate of the price elasticity.

While a number of validity tests exist for contingent valuation data, to date there are very few literature examples for contingent behavior (CB) data. The objective of this study is to test the validity of CB trip data for different levels of rock climbing access using data from surveys implemented before and after a policy restricting recreational access was imposed. Results from generalized Negative Binomial and seemingly unrelated Poisson regression models show significant sensitivity to scope, and suggest that CB data may be a valuable supplement to revealed preference data when policy proposals are outside the range of historical conditions. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.

[1] The demand for bottled water has increased rapidly over the past decade, but bottled water is extremely costly compared to tap water. The convenience of bottled water surely matters to consumers, but are others factors at work? This manuscript examines whether purchases of bottled water are associated with the perceived risk of tap water. All of the past studies on bottled water consumption have used simple scale measures of perceived risk that do not correspond to risk measures used by risk analysts. We elicit a probability-based measure of risk and find that as perceived risks rise, expenditures for bottled water rise.

Abstract. In this paper we present estimated recreation values for preventing a decline in water levels at, and even the total loss of, a large western lake that is drying up. We use a Poisson version of the count data travel cost model; however, in addition to and in combination with revealed preference (RP) data, we employ contingent behavior (CB) responses to hypothetical questions on alternative water levels and number of trips. The pooled model used allows for tests of differences between results using RP and CB data. This particular pooled RP/CB approach has not to our knowledge previously been applied to examine the values of alternative water quantities in water-based recreation.

Few theoretically-consistent empirical models addressing the relationship between ambiguity, risk, and preferences for health and safety exist. To fill this gap, we propose a theoretical non-expected-utility model (NEUM) that is relatively easy to estimate using an interval-data model. The NEUM we develop hinges upon two sources of variability, one over risk and the other over ambiguity about the risk. Using data from a survey of Nevada residents concerning risks from nuclear-waste transport, we provide individual-specific welfare estimate for a risk increase. Our findings suggest that negative externalities from nuclear-waste transport perceived risks and ambiguity may be substantial. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2006Expected utility, Risk and uncertainty, Ambiguity, Nuclear-waste transport,