a. Why is this firm considered a natural monopoly?
b. If the firm is unregulated, what price and output would maximize its profit? What would be its profit or loss?
c. If a regulatory commission establishes a price with the goal of achieving allocative efficiency, what would be the price and output? What would be the firm's profit or loss?
d. If a regulatory commission establishes a price with the goal of allowing the firm a "fair return" what would be the price and output? What would be the firm's profit or loss?
e. Which one of the prices in parts b,c, and d maximizes consumer surplus? What problem if any occurs at this price?