Koichiro Ito “Asymmetric Incentives in Subsidies: Evidence from a Large-Scale Electricity Rebate Program” (Revised September 2014) (Revised version published in American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 7(3): 209-237, August 2015) | WP-244R | Blog Post

Abstract:
Many countries use substantial public funds to subsidize reductions in negative externalities. Such policy designs create asymmetric incentives because increases in externalities remain unpriced. I investigate the implications of such policies by using a regression discontinuity design in California’s electricity rebate program. Using household-level panel data, I find that the incentive produced precisely estimated zero treatment effects on energy conservation in coastal areas. In contrast, the rebate induced short-run and long-run consumption reductions in inland areas. Income, climate, and air conditioner saturation significantly drive the heterogeneity. Finally, I provide a cost-effectiveness analysis and investigate how to improve the policy design.