Anyone Can Purchase Sulfur Dioxide Emissions Allowances on the Chicago

Multiple Choice

Anyone can purchase sulfur dioxide emissions allowances on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Several environmental groups have raised money to buy allowances (which they subsequently destroy) . As part of their fund-raising, these groups have urged contributors to buy the allowances as gifts. As one newspaper story put it, "For the environmentalist in your life, here's a gift that is sold by the ton, fits in an envelope and will last forever." Source for quote: Randall Edwards, "Dear Santa: Please Bring Me Sulfur Dioxide for Christmas," Columbus Dispatch, December 19, 1999.
What would be the impact on the price of the emission allowances in the market?

A) The price rises.
B) The price falls to zero.
C) The price falls, but not to zero.
D) The price remains unchanged because the allowances purchased by the environmental groups are destroyed.