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Nobel Laureates

Regulation of Natural Monopolies and the Fair Rate of Return


Volume:Volume 5, No. 1

Issue: Spring 1974

Pages: pp. 3-15

Authors: Hayne E. Leland

Title: Regulation of Natural Monopolies and the Fair Rate of Return

Abstract: Defining "fair return" when profits are random has been a central problem in the theory of regulation. In this paper, we develop a simple but general concept of fair return based on an equilibrium model of production under uncertainty. We propose regulatory behavior which will induce firms to make efficient input choices, while at the same time guaranteeing fair returns.


JEL Classification

Regulation of Public Utilities (6130)
Capital Markets General (3130)