Accounting for network operators' heterogeneity is of crucial importance for regulators. In contrast to observed heterogeneity, the consideration of unobserved differences is far more challenging. Most estimation models try to account for unobserved factors that impact the network operators'...

Seit der Deregulierung des deutschen Strommarktes im Jahre 1998 werden die Netznutzungsentgelte durch Verhandlungen zwischen den Energieerzeugern und den industriellen Nutzern festgelegt. Da die Stromnetze als nicht-bestreitbare natürliche Monopolisten anzusehen sind, können die Netzbetreiber...

Abstract: This paper analyzes the impact of deregulation and restructuring on public-interest environmental research conducted by electric utilities in the US for the period 1990-2001. I find that deregulation has had a tremendous negative on such expenditures which have declined by 40 percent....