In the 1978 Tellico Dam decision (TVA v. Hill, 437 U.S. 187), the U.S. Supreme Court declared that the Endangered Species Act (ESA) defines the value of endangered species as "incalculable," and that endangered species are to be saved "whatever the cost."

a) Would it be economically efficient to treat the value of endangered species as infinite? Explain.

b) In your opinion, does the ESA cause endangered species to be treated as if they had infinite value in practice? Why or why not?