Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Keung Kam-Yin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-80). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Income growth and pollution --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- Environmental regulations and comparative advantage --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3 --- Welfare implications : Optimal policy in a second-best world --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4 --- Unemployment and the Environment --- p.11 / Chapter 2.5 --- Labor Union and International Trade --- p.12 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Tariffs and the Environment --- p.14 / Chapter 3.1 --- The model --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- Resource Allocation -The effects of import tariffs --- p.19 / Chapter 3.3 --- National welfare --- p.23 / Chapter 3.4 --- Trade Liberalization --- p.26 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Tariffs，Unemployment and the Environment --- p.28 / Chapter 4.1 --- The model --- p.30 / Chapter 4.2 --- Resource Allocation - The effects of import tariffs --- p.33 / Chapter 4.3 --- National Welfare --- p.37 / Chapter 4.4 --- Trade Liberalization --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- "Tariffs, Labor Unions and the Environment" --- p.42 / Chapter 5.1 --- The model --- p.43 / Chapter 5.2 --- Resource Allocation - The effects of import tariffs --- p.48 / Chapter 5.3 --- National Welfare --- p.52 / Chapter 5.4 --- Trade Liberalization --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.57 / Appendix I --- p.60 / Appendix II --- p.64 / Appendix III --- p.67 / References --- p.72

Esse estudo teve como objetivo descrever de forma sistemática a evolução da política de preços da Tarifa Social de energia elétrica no período 1985/2002, de forma que fosse possível sua análise, superando as análises fragmentadas até então realizadas. A Tarifa Social consiste em um programa implementado pelo Ministério de Minas e Energia (MME), de barateamento do preço da energia elétrica para consumidores residenciais de energia elétrica, especialmente para famílias de baixa renda. A implementação da Tarifa Social foi caracterizada pela utilização dos mais diversos critérios para a concessão do benefício, foi influenciada por diferentes limites e condições regionais, sofreu alterações no montante do desconto concedido e na forma de cálculo do desconto. A diversidade de características na implementação dessa política tarifária dificultou a obtenção dos resultados pretendidos pelo Governo quando da sua implementação e a própria análise dessa iniciativa como uma política pública coerente ao longo do período considerado. A eficiência da política de Tarifa Social de energia elétrica apresenta-se de grande relevância pois pode implicar na inclusão ou exclusão de um grande número de famílias no mercado de consumo de energia elétrica. Atualmente o custo de concessão desses descontos concedidos à população de baixa renda superam R$ 500 milhões anuais em diminuição na receita das formas distribuidoras, custo esse que é compensado com tarifas mais elevadas aos consumidores de energia elétrica situados em outras classes. A descrição da evolução da Tarifa Social em função da evolução institucional da indústria de serviços elétricos brasileira (ISEB) permite superar a excessiva fragmentação de características que impedia a sua análise direta, dada a pressuposição de que sua evolução é dependente dos objetivos e parâmetros fixados para toda a indústria. Além da descrição da evolução da Tarifa Social realizou-se a análise da adequação dessa política aos pressupostos de eficiência econômica na fixação de preços descritos na literatura econômica. Para tanto essas políticas foram analisadas em função dos modelos descritos na teoria microeconômica, em especial aqueles da Teoria do Monopólio sob o enfoque do comportamento da firma monopolista de discriminação de preços. Também são descritas e analisadas outras políticas oficiais de ampliação do acesso da população de baixa renda ao serviço de energia elétrica, com enfoque na universalização do acesso físico da população às redes de distribuição de energia elétrica. / This study had the goal to describe systematically the evolution of the electricity’s price policy, referred as Social Tariff, between 1985 and 2002, to make possible the analysis of this price policy overcoming the partial analysis that had been made up to this time. The Social Tariff consists in a program of the Mining and Energy Ministry to charge lower tariffs for residential consumers of electricity, especially for the families with low incomes. Since the Social Tariff was implemented, had been used many different conditions for the concession of this benefit, as different regional limits, different amounts of discount and different procedures to calculate this discount. That variety of conditions and characteristics of the Social Tariff made hard to achieve the goal of the Mining and Energy Ministry as to analyze the efficiency of this price policy in the referred period. The efficiency of this electricity’s price policy for the low income families is relevant because it can implies in inclusion or exclusion from a large number of families in this market. Currently, the cost of these discounts for the electricity’s consumption of low income families exceed R$ 500 millions/year, in form of lower revenues for the electricity’s distribution firms. That revenue losses are compensate with higher tariffs imposed to the other consumers, classified in different tariff classes. The goal of this study was make possible analysis e describe the evolution of the Social Tariff, overcoming the major fragmentation of characteristics that avoid the direct analysis, comparing its evolution face to face with the evolution of institutional history of the electricity’s industry, assumed that the definition of a tariff policy depends of the goals and characteristics fixed for the industry. This study also analyze this tariff policy as an efficient way to fix prices in terms of economic efficiency, as defined in the economic theory. These price policies where analyzed in terms of the microeconomics models, specially in terms of the Monopoly Theory and the behavior of the monopolistic firm that uses price discrimination. Other official policies implemented to improve the access of low income families to electricity’s services where referred, specially the ones that intends to achieve the complete access of population to electricity’s distribution network.

Esta dissertação apresenta uma proposta de construção de uma nova metodologia voltada à estrutura tarifária de sistemas elétricos, considerando grupos de consumidores de média e de baixa tensão. A discussão mostra a necessidade de aprimoramento da atual estrutura tarifária brasileira para os consumidores atendidos pelos sistemas de distribuição de energia. Também os principais aspectos necessários para uma estrutura mais eficiente, justa e consistente, baseada nos fundamentos da teoria econômica, são aqui considerados. Nesse contexto, realizou-se uma pesquisa sobre as tarifações praticadas em diversos países, identificando suas principais características e potenciais aplicabilidades neste estudo. Em relação às simulações computacionais, foi desenvolvido um algoritmo para determinação dos preços das tarifas dos consumidores atendidos por uma dada distribuidora, considerando as características socioeconômicas e operacionais de sua área de concessão. Por fim, apresentam-se os resultados obtidos a partir da simulação de novas tarifas, baseados em um estudo de caso de uma concessionária da região Sudeste do Brasil. Assim, foram comprovadas a aplicabilidade e eficiência da metodologia desenvolvida neste trabalho, no que diz respeito à segmentação do mercado da distribuidora nas opções tarifárias propostas e a potenciais aplicações em projetos piloto. / This dissertation presents a proposal for the construction of a new methodology for electricity distribution pricing, considering medium and low voltage consumer groups. The discussion shows the need for improvements in the current tariff structure for Brazilian consumers supplied by distribution systems. Also, main necessary aspects for a more efficient, fair and consistent rate design, based on the fundamentals of economic theory, are herein considered. In this context, a research on the pricing methods applied in different countries was carried out, identifying their key characteristics and potential applicability for this study. Regarding computer simulations, an algorithm was developed to determine the tariffs of consumers supplied by a certain distribution company, considering the social, economic and operational characteristics of its concession area. Finally, the results obtained from the simulation of new tariffs are presented, based on a case study for a company located in the southeast of Brazil. Thus, it was proved the applicability and efficiency of the methodology developed in this work, regarding the utility market segmentation on the proposed tariff options and potential applications in pilot projects.

A partir de estudo do histórico da indústria de energia elétrica no Brasil, de revisão de conceitos de Direito Administrativo, teoria geral de concessões de serviços públicos e política de preço aplicada a monopólios naturais, o trabalho apresenta o estudo de caso de duas empresas de fornecimento de energia elétrica privatizadas a partir da regulamentação do art. 175 dispositivos da Constituição Federal de 1988, através da publicação da Lei nº 8.985/1995, conhecida como Lei de Concessões. A Lei em referência possibilitou que serviços de utilidade pública cuja atividade era altamente controlada pelo governo, a exemplo do fornecimento de energia, telecomunicações, entre outros, tivessem sua prestação delegada à iniciativa privada, passando o Estado a exercer apenas as tarefas de fiscalizador e regulador dos serviços, na figura de autarquias de regime especial: as agências reguladoras. As condições da prestação dos serviços públicos, como a forma de reajuste e revisão das tarifas, foram estabelecidas em contratos de concessão assinados entre a União e os novos concessionários. No segmento de distribuição de energia elétrica, entretanto, as condições contratualmente pactuadas para preservação das tarifas não têm sido devidamente observadas, provocando distorções nos mercados das concessionárias, conseqüentemente sobre os seus respectivos consumidores. / ABSTRACT Beginning from the study of the history of Brazils electric energy industry, the review of Administrative rights and obligations concepts, general theory of public utility concessions, to the price policy applied to Natural Monopolies, this Dissertation presents the case study of two electric energy distribution companies, which were privatized by means of Law nº 8.987/1995, know as Law of Concessions, that guides Article nº 175 of the Federal Constitution of 1988. The Law made it possible for public utilities whose activities were highly regulated by the Government, such as the distribution of electric energy, telecommunications, among others, to be granted to the entrepreneurial initiative, where the State would only act as a regulating and inspecting agent, through regulatory agencies. The terms of rendering the service of public utilities, such as tariff policies, were established in concession contracts signed between the Union and the new concessionaires. In the electric energy distribution sector, however, these contractual conditions to establish and preserve tariffs have not been dully observed, causing distortions in the markets served by the concessionaires and consequently on their respective consumers.

Esta dissertação apresenta uma proposta de construção de uma nova metodologia voltada à estrutura tarifária de sistemas elétricos, considerando grupos de consumidores de média e de baixa tensão. A discussão mostra a necessidade de aprimoramento da atual estrutura tarifária brasileira para os consumidores atendidos pelos sistemas de distribuição de energia. Também os principais aspectos necessários para uma estrutura mais eficiente, justa e consistente, baseada nos fundamentos da teoria econômica, são aqui considerados. Nesse contexto, realizou-se uma pesquisa sobre as tarifações praticadas em diversos países, identificando suas principais características e potenciais aplicabilidades neste estudo. Em relação às simulações computacionais, foi desenvolvido um algoritmo para determinação dos preços das tarifas dos consumidores atendidos por uma dada distribuidora, considerando as características socioeconômicas e operacionais de sua área de concessão. Por fim, apresentam-se os resultados obtidos a partir da simulação de novas tarifas, baseados em um estudo de caso de uma concessionária da região Sudeste do Brasil. Assim, foram comprovadas a aplicabilidade e eficiência da metodologia desenvolvida neste trabalho, no que diz respeito à segmentação do mercado da distribuidora nas opções tarifárias propostas e a potenciais aplicações em projetos piloto. / This dissertation presents a proposal for the construction of a new methodology for electricity distribution pricing, considering medium and low voltage consumer groups. The discussion shows the need for improvements in the current tariff structure for Brazilian consumers supplied by distribution systems. Also, main necessary aspects for a more efficient, fair and consistent rate design, based on the fundamentals of economic theory, are herein considered. In this context, a research on the pricing methods applied in different countries was carried out, identifying their key characteristics and potential applicability for this study. Regarding computer simulations, an algorithm was developed to determine the tariffs of consumers supplied by a certain distribution company, considering the social, economic and operational characteristics of its concession area. Finally, the results obtained from the simulation of new tariffs are presented, based on a case study for a company located in the southeast of Brazil. Thus, it was proved the applicability and efficiency of the methodology developed in this work, regarding the utility market segmentation on the proposed tariff options and potential applications in pilot projects.

Esse estudo teve como objetivo descrever de forma sistemática a evolução da política de preços da Tarifa Social de energia elétrica no período 1985/2002, de forma que fosse possível sua análise, superando as análises fragmentadas até então realizadas. A Tarifa Social consiste em um programa implementado pelo Ministério de Minas e Energia (MME), de barateamento do preço da energia elétrica para consumidores residenciais de energia elétrica, especialmente para famílias de baixa renda. A implementação da Tarifa Social foi caracterizada pela utilização dos mais diversos critérios para a concessão do benefício, foi influenciada por diferentes limites e condições regionais, sofreu alterações no montante do desconto concedido e na forma de cálculo do desconto. A diversidade de características na implementação dessa política tarifária dificultou a obtenção dos resultados pretendidos pelo Governo quando da sua implementação e a própria análise dessa iniciativa como uma política pública coerente ao longo do período considerado. A eficiência da política de Tarifa Social de energia elétrica apresenta-se de grande relevância pois pode implicar na inclusão ou exclusão de um grande número de famílias no mercado de consumo de energia elétrica. Atualmente o custo de concessão desses descontos concedidos à população de baixa renda superam R$ 500 milhões anuais em diminuição na receita das formas distribuidoras, custo esse que é compensado com tarifas mais elevadas aos consumidores de energia elétrica situados em outras classes. A descrição da evolução da Tarifa Social em função da evolução institucional da indústria de serviços elétricos brasileira (ISEB) permite superar a excessiva fragmentação de características que impedia a sua análise direta, dada a pressuposição de que sua evolução é dependente dos objetivos e parâmetros fixados para toda a indústria. Além da descrição da evolução da Tarifa Social realizou-se a análise da adequação dessa política aos pressupostos de eficiência econômica na fixação de preços descritos na literatura econômica. Para tanto essas políticas foram analisadas em função dos modelos descritos na teoria microeconômica, em especial aqueles da Teoria do Monopólio sob o enfoque do comportamento da firma monopolista de discriminação de preços. Também são descritas e analisadas outras políticas oficiais de ampliação do acesso da população de baixa renda ao serviço de energia elétrica, com enfoque na universalização do acesso físico da população às redes de distribuição de energia elétrica. / This study had the goal to describe systematically the evolution of the electricity’s price policy, referred as Social Tariff, between 1985 and 2002, to make possible the analysis of this price policy overcoming the partial analysis that had been made up to this time. The Social Tariff consists in a program of the Mining and Energy Ministry to charge lower tariffs for residential consumers of electricity, especially for the families with low incomes. Since the Social Tariff was implemented, had been used many different conditions for the concession of this benefit, as different regional limits, different amounts of discount and different procedures to calculate this discount. That variety of conditions and characteristics of the Social Tariff made hard to achieve the goal of the Mining and Energy Ministry as to analyze the efficiency of this price policy in the referred period. The efficiency of this electricity’s price policy for the low income families is relevant because it can implies in inclusion or exclusion from a large number of families in this market. Currently, the cost of these discounts for the electricity’s consumption of low income families exceed R$ 500 millions/year, in form of lower revenues for the electricity’s distribution firms. That revenue losses are compensate with higher tariffs imposed to the other consumers, classified in different tariff classes. The goal of this study was make possible analysis e describe the evolution of the Social Tariff, overcoming the major fragmentation of characteristics that avoid the direct analysis, comparing its evolution face to face with the evolution of institutional history of the electricity’s industry, assumed that the definition of a tariff policy depends of the goals and characteristics fixed for the industry. This study also analyze this tariff policy as an efficient way to fix prices in terms of economic efficiency, as defined in the economic theory. These price policies where analyzed in terms of the microeconomics models, specially in terms of the Monopoly Theory and the behavior of the monopolistic firm that uses price discrimination. Other official policies implemented to improve the access of low income families to electricity’s services where referred, specially the ones that intends to achieve the complete access of population to electricity’s distribution network.

This dissertation analyzes the men's razor market to examine whether a monopolist can implement price discrimination for the complementary goods. I estimate a demand system for razors using the random coefficient logit model with market level sales data from the Nielsen Store Scanner dataset and individual demographic data from the March CPS. The estimated parameters are used to construct price-cost markups. By comparing the markups of different products, I find evidence that Gillette uses a two-part tariff strategy. This conclusion can be generalized as that of a monopolist setting the prices of tie-in products consistent with a two-part tariff.

This study is concerned with the analyses of modern electric power-grids designed to support large supply-demand considerations in metro areas of large cities. Hence proposed are methods to determine optimal performance of the associated distribution networks vis-á-vis power availability from multiple resources (such as hydroelectric, thermal, wind-mill, solar-cell etc.) and varying load-demands posed by distinct set of consumers of domestic, industrial and commercial sectors. Hence, developing the analytics on optimal power-distribution across pertinent power-grids are verified with the models proposed. Forecast algorithms and computational outcomes on supply-demand performance are indicated and illustratively explained using real-world data sets. This study on electric utility takes duly into considerations of both deterministic (technological factors) as well as stochastic variables associated with the available resource-capacity and demand-profile details. Thus, towards forecasting exercise as above, a representative load-curve (RLC) is defined; and, it is optimally determined using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) method using the data availed on supply-demand characteristics of a practical power-grid. This RLC is subsequently considered as an input parametric profile on tariff policies associated with electric power product-cost. This research further focuses on developing an optimal/suboptimal electric-power distribution scheme across power-grids deployed between multiple resources and different sets of user demands. Again, the optimal/suboptimal decisions are enabled using ANN-based simulations performed on load sharing details. The underlying supply-demand forecasting on distribution service profile is essential to support predictive designs on the amount of power required (or to be generated from single and/or multiple resources) versus distributable shares to different consumers demanding distinct loads. Another topic addressed refers to a business model on a cost reflective tariff levied in an electric power service in terms of the associated hedonic heuristics of customers versus service products offered by the utility operators. This model is based on hedonic considerations and technoeconomic heuristics of incumbent systems In the ANN simulations as above, bootstrapping technique is adopted to generate pseudo-replicates of the available data set and they are used to train the ANN net towards convergence. A traditional, multilayer ANN architecture (implemented with feed-forward and backpropagation techniques) is designed and modified to support a fast convergence algorithm, used for forecasting and in load-sharing computations. Underlying simulations are carried out using case-study details on electric utility gathered from the literature. In all, ANN-based prediction of a representative load-curve to assess power-consumption and tariff details in electrical power systems supporting a smart-grid, analysis of load-sharing and distribution of electric power on smart grids using an ANN and evaluation of electric power system infrastructure in terms of tariff worthiness deduced via hedonic heuristics, constitute the major thematic efforts addressed in this research study. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Tariff is a taxation that a government collects on inbound or outbound goods. The Customs, which is the institution performing this function, plays a major role in national financial and economic development. In the world every country has struggled to reduce production cost by marketing economic and trade with foreign countries as well as increasing their competitive ability. Accordingly, bonded system is designed for deferring tariff payment and reliving production burden. Almost every country enacted bonded laws as legal basis to regulate bonded systems. The so-called ¡§bonded cargo¡¨ refers to the cargo which deposit, assemble, arrange, divide up, sort inside bonded area under the monitor by the Customs and is allowed to defer tariff payment. The Customs effectively monitor and control bonded cargo and bonded regions according to customs laws. No matter industrialized countries, developing countries, or the third world countries, their Customs have endeavored to establish bonded system in accordance with their individual sources, economic and trade environments. Under the globalization trend they also establish transnational branches to cope with domestic demand. Furthermore, under the regulations by World trade Organizations or World Customs Organization, The Customs promptly review or revise their polices related to bonded regulations to expedite customs clearance complying with industrial demand. The concerned sphere includes such as bonded warehouse, factory, export processing zone, cross-strait bonder model, developing some specific targets into bonded regions. For example, science-based industrial or agriculture science park, bonded area(free trade zone) and free trade ports will be multiplatform areas in the future. Our bonded affairs also will be varied, complicated and more mature at the same time. This study found that the cross-strait parties enthusiastically push the modernization and globalization of bonded systems with the methods such as website application and clearance, accounting audit. While international economic condition changes swiftly, the industries eager for the Customs speeding up clearance service. Comparatively their bonded measures still can¡¦t meet their request and have some blind spots and bottlenecks. The customs should adopt more opening and automated management models, risk management, accounting theory, new technology etc. to simplify the control of bonded goods as well as shorten process of logistics control. The final goals are to shift their trend from ¡§monitor control ¡§to partnership and finally reach global alignment.