The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a new regulatory policy that will cost $40 million this year and generate $42 million in benefits next year. The EPA has determined that 4% is the appropriate discount rate in this case. Should this regulatory policy be implemented, and why or why not?
Ans. The regulatory policy should only be implemented if the present value of the benefits equal the present value of the cost. So, present value of the benefit at 4% interest rate,
B = 42 million/(1+0.04)
=> B = $40.3846 million
The present value of the benefits is greater than the cost of $40 million. Thus, it is beneficial to implement the new regulatory policy.
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