Final answer:
Economic profit takes into account the opportunity costs, such as potential rental income from owned land. Firms facing a pollution tax must weigh it against the cost of reducing emissions, often resulting in the firm choosing abatement if it is cheaper than the tax.
Step-by-step explanation:
Economic Profit and Pollution Control
When calculating economic profit, opportunity costs must be considered. In this scenario, the firm owns land it could rent for $30,000 per year, which is an opportunity cost and should be deducted from the accounting profit to find the economic profit. The environmental policy imposes a pollution tax, presenting the firm with a choice: pay the pollution tax or incur abatement costs to reduce emissions. With a pollution tax of $1,000 for every 10 pounds of particulates, the firm will opt to abate the first 10 pounds at a lower cost of $300, rather than pay the $1,000 tax. This economic behaviour illustrates how firms respond to environmental taxes, weighing the costs of abatement against the tax rate.