Economics ETDs

Publication Date

7-1-2011

Abstract

A generalized framework of Economic Analysis of natural and man-made disasters is applied to the estimation of business interruption losses associated with an oil spill. Specifically, this framework is applied to the Deepwater Horizon incident which occurred on April 20, 2010 and resulted in the extensive fouling of the Gulf of Mexico waters and the associated coastline. The region of analysis is the coastline extending east from Louisiana to the Pan-handle of Florida. Economic impacts were measured as business interruption losses reported as lost Gross Domestic product at the county, state, and national level. Short-run economic impacts were evaluated using the Regional Economic Accounting Tool, based on Input-Output methodology, for business interruptions of less than one year. Medium- and Long-run economic impacts were estimated using the Regional Economic Models, Inc. REMI. The REMI Model is a dynamic hybrid model that combines econometric, input-output, and computable general equilibrium equations to estimated economic impacts. Regional economic impacts, as measured by loss GDP, were found to be of more concern than national impacts.

Degree Name

Economics

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Economics

First Committee Member (Chair)

Santos, Richard

Language

English

Keywords

oil spill, business interruptions, natural disasters, manmade disasters, disasters, economics of disasters, disaster economics, deepwater horizon

Document Type

Thesis

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