The Use of Benefit Transfer in the United States

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of applications and trends in benefit transfer for the United States. Benefit transfer has been widely applied in the United States for several decades. Initially it was used to value recreation at public water resource projects and on public lands. Now it is used extensively for benefit-cost analysis of new environmental regulations, and for monetizing natural resource damages and small oil spills. Groups that use benefit transfer, once primarily federal agencies, have grown to now include state agencies, consulting firms, and non-governmental organizations. As the underlying body of information continues to expand through primary research, new benefit transfer methods are developed to take advantage of this growth in information. Benefit transfer has become an important valuation tool in the United States where applications are expected to continue in the future.