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Research Papers

ICANN at a Crossroads: A Proposal for Better Governance and Performance

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has control over extremely important aspects of the Internet, but is largely accountable to no one, according to a new study coauthored by Thomas M. Lenard and Lawrence J. White. ICANN�s governance structure should be dramatically reformed to make it more accountable before the current tie with the U.S. Department of Commerce is allowed to expire. Lenard is President and Senior Fellow at TPI; White is Professor of Economics at the NYU Stern School of Business.

Press Releases

ICANN Should be Reformed Before “Privatization”

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has control over extremely important aspects of the Internet, but is largely accountable to no one, according to a new study coauthored by Thomas M. Lenard and Lawrence J. White. ICANN’s governance structure should be dramatically reformed to make it more accountable before the current tie with the U.S. Department of Commerce is allowed to expire. Lenard is President and Senior Fellow at TPI; White is Professor of Economics at the NYU Stern School of Business.

Press Releases

Wallsten Universal Service Testimony

On March 12, 2009 TPI Vice President for Research and Senior Fellow Scott Wallsten testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet on reforming the universal service high cost fund. Subsidies from the high-cost fund to rural telecommunications providers have increased from $1.7 billion in 1999 to nearly $5 billion today. Wallsten recommended moving from the current inefficient system to one that awards subsidies through competitive bidding. Such reverse auctions for universal service have been used successfully in other countries and could reduce subsidies and benefit consumers.

Research Papers

The Budgetary Effects of High-Skilled Immigration Reform

Most economists believe that admitting more highly skilled workers from other countries is beneficial to the U.S. economy. This is particularly true of workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Immigration also has positive effects on the federal budget. Highly skilled workers pay more in taxes than less skilled workers and they are not likely to receive federal benefits, particularly in the near term.

Press Releases

New Study Shows Positive Fiscal Effects of Loosening Green Card and H-1B Caps

Lifting restrictions on high-skilled immigration would reduce the federal deficit, according to a new study by TPI senior fellow Arlene Holen. The new study will be discussed at a March 10 TPI conference at the National Press Club from 12-3. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) will deliver a keynote address. The conference agenda and registration information can be found here on our website.

Press Releases

March 10th Event: High-Skilled Immigration: Budgetary and Economic Effects, Zoe Lofgren Keynote Speaker

Immigration is a contentious issue, particularly in an economic downturn. But even now, employers in critical sectors ranging from information technology to finance are seeking highly skilled immigrants. These workers are in limited supply because foreign applicants face stringent caps on green cards and temporary work visas. Legislators and other policy makers need to make decisions on this issue on the basis of the overall effects of high-skilled immigrants on economic growth and innovation, the wages and employment of domestic workers, and the effects on government budgets, which are less well understood.

Commentaries and Op-Eds

Instant Info Is a Two-Edged Sword

Bubbles have always been part of markets. The 17th century Dutch Tulip mania and the 18th century’s South Sea Bubble are part of capitalist folklore. Recently, there seems to be an increase in the number and severity of bubbles and crashes — Internet stock prices, housing prices and the stock market come to mind.

Press Releases

New Publications of Note

The Technology Policy Institute has posted three new Publications of Note by outside authors on subjects of interest to our audience:

  • Tim Brennan, ‘Night of the Living Dead’ or ‘Back to the Future’? Electric Utility Decoupling, Reviving Rate-of-Return Regulation, and Energy Efficiency
  • Bronwyn Howell, The End or the Means? The Pursuit of Competition in Regulated Telecommunications Markets
  • Andrea Renda, I own the pipes, you call the tune: The net neutrality debate and its (ir)relevance for Europe
Research Papers

‘Night of the Living Dead’ or ‘Back to the Future’? Electric Utility Decoupling, Reviving Rate-of-Return Regulation, and Energy Efficiency

The distribution grid for delivering electricity to the user has been paid for as part of the charge per kilowatt-hour that covers the cost of the energy itself. Conservation advocates have promoted the adoption of policies that “decouple” electric distribution company revenues or profits from how much electricity goes through the lines. Their motivation is that usage-based pricing leads utilities to encourage use and discourages conservation. Because decoupling divorces profits from conduct, it runs against the dominant finding in regulatory economics in the last twenty years – that incentive-based regulation outperforms rate-of-return. Even if distribution costs are independent of use, some usage charges can be efficient. Price-cap regulation may distort utility incentives to inform consumers about energy efficiency – getting more performance from less electricity. Utilities will subsidize efficiency investments, but only when prices are too low. Justifying policies to subsidize energy efficiency requires either prices that are too low or consumers who are ignorant.

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