The Private Provision of Public Goods: Tests of a Provision Point Mechanism for Funding Green Power Programs

Abstract

This paper utilizes laboratory and field experiments to test the use of a provision point mechanism to finance renewable energy programs, commonly known as green pricing programs. The mechanism solicits discrete contributions towards a provision threshold using a money-back guarantee for insufficient contributions and extended benefits for contributions in excess of the threshold. In the laboratory, a single shot environment with a large group of potential participants produces contribution levels that are found to be partially demand revealing as well as motivated by altruism or wann-glow. Also, in contrast to most green pricing programs, relatively high participation is found in the field. Field participation is shown to be responsive to program goals and the provision point mechanism.