List below some questions that you might ask yourself before writing your essay. Not all of these questions are likely to be relevant for your particular essay. They are meant only to get you thinking more systematically and analytically.
What is the environmental good and service that people value?
To what extent is the good or service joint? Is there a geographical limit to the jointness? Are there any congestion effects?
Is exclusion possible in this case? If not, is the source of the problem technological, legal or some other issue?
If exclusion is a problem, might there be a complementary good that is excusable that might be used as a means of charging a price?
Is it feasible to use the legal system and the assignment of property rights to deal with the issue? How might the assignment of property rights affect transactions costs and the efficiency of the outcome?
Would it be possible to design taxes, fees or marketable permits to help solve the problem? What are some of the difficult design characteristics for a fee or permit system in your particular example?
How might the EPA or other relevant government agency obtain information about the marginal benefits of the proposed policy?
