Multi-regional Dynamic General Equilibrium Modeling of the U.S. Economy

Prof. Glyn Wittwer is a regional dynamic CGE modeling expert. He has played a major role with Mark Horridge in developing databases for TERM versions in several countries. He edited the Springer volume Economic Modeling of Water (2012) and contributed the majority of chapters in the volume. He has extensive consulting experience. His list of projects includes dynamic, multi-regional CGE modeling in Australia, China and the United States. These includes modeling of the impacts of major dam and transport projects, drought and water trading, flood, hypothetical plant disease scenarios, productivity scenarios, wine tax scenarios, major mine construction projects and industry closures.

This book details the preparation of USAGE-TERM, a computable general equilibrium model that provides regional economic detail in the USA. The model can represent either congressional district or state level economic activity. The latter may include a top-down representation of county activity. Interest in USAGE-TERM is growing among government departments. It is a practical tool, which may enhance analysis of productivity growth and innovation, adverse events such as drought or civil disruption and the dynamic economic impacts of major projects.Economic analysts and policy makers care about regions. Some regions suffer growing pains, as supporting infrastructure and services struggle to cope with population growth. Soaring house prices and rentals may lower affordability for many. Other regions suffer ongoing decline due to structural change. Regional economic fluctuations are often far more dramatic than national fluctuations.

The book documents a model with a unique amount of detail on economy-wide and regional US economic activityDetails are presented on how national accounts and other statistical data are modified to prepare a multi-regional CGE model Tailored modifications within the described model include sectors to depict domestic and international tourism and holiday-making at home and abroadThe volume includes practical applications to major policy issues

Chapter 1. Beyond Regional Input-Output Modeling.- Part I: Sectoral Detail in USAGE-TERM.- Chapter 2. Agriculture and Mining in Regional United States.- Chapter 3. Manufacturing Industries in the United States.- Chapter 4. Regional Electricity Supply in the United States.- Chapter 5. Regional Health Care, Education, International Trade, Other Services and Household Consumption.- Chapter 6. Tourism and Transport in a CGE Model and An Illustrative Application.- Part II: Potential Household and Fiscal Extensions.- Chapter 7. Enhancing the Links Between Income Sources, User Expenditures and Taxes in a CGE Database.- Chapter 8. Multiregional Fiscal Accounts.- Part III: Model Preparation.- Chapter 9. Preparing a Database for Dynamic CGE Modeling.- Chapter 10. Top-Down Extensions to Represent Counties and Congressional Districts and Moving to Bottom-Up.- Part IV: Model Applications.- Chapter 11. Modeling California's Drought.- Chapter 12.The Economic Effects of a Hypothetical Nuclear Attack on Downtown LA.