Coal shortage at China plants The government of China has set price controls on coal and gasoline in an attempt to shield poor urban families and farmers from rising world energy prices. Chinese power plants have run short of coal, sales of luxury, gas-guzzling cars have increased, and gasoline consumption has risen. Oil refiners are incurring losses and plan to cut production.
Explain how China's price controls have changed consumer surplus, producer surplus, total surplus, and the deadweight loss in the markets for coal and gasoline. Draw a graph to illustrate your answer.