Primary Source and Energy

Eilperin, J. & Dennis, B. (2017). Trump administration to approve final permit for Dakota Access pipeline. Washington Post. Feb 7, 2017. Retrieved online: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/02/07/trump-administration-to-approve-final-permit-for-dakota-access-pipeline/

Although not a scholarly source or a primary source, this article in the Washington Post directly addresses the core political concerns related to the proposed Dakota Access pipeline. The article includes a map showing what lands the pipeline would traverse, and the author addresses the land use and land access concerns by Native American stakeholders. Because it talks about the core political, social, and economic issues, this article will be used as a current events resource when developing my argument related to energy pipelines and globalization.

Ericson, R.E. (2013). Eurasian Natural Gas Pipelines: The Political Economy of Network Interdependence. Eurasian Geography and Economics, 50:1, 28-57

This is a scholarly article that places energy pipelines into a global economic context. My research will show how energy pipelines can be viewed and analyzed as both a sociological issue and a sociological problem, because they raise key concerns linked to power, human rights, politics, and economics. While I may focus on the Dakota Access and other North American pipelines, it is crucial to show how many of the most important energy pipelines do traverse international borders and how these transportation networks raise important concerns related to national security but also to the politics and economics of globalization. Pipelines are practically a symbol of globalization and the interdependence between nations, but energy transport can also draw attention to imbalances of wealth and power worldwide.

Gravelle, T.B. & Lachapelle, E. (2015). Politics, proximity and the pipeline: Mapping public attitudes toward Keystone XL. Energy Policy 83(2015): 99-108.

One of the most contentious energy pipeline proposals in North America is Keystone XL, which would transport bitumen harvested in Alberta Canada to refineries in Texas. This vast project presents serious infrastructure, safety, and financial concerns, and also raises questions about the environmental and social impact of such a long pipeline. This scholarly article draws on Pew Research Center surveys about American attitudes towards the Keystone XL proposed project. Questions are related to general support or lack thereof, role of political affiliations and related political issues on support for the pipeline project. The link between political ideology and attitudes towards energy pipelines is the main focus of this research, which is unique in that regard.

Loder, T. (2016). Reflections on activist v. industry education conferences in North Dakota's Bakken Shale. Practicing Anthropology 38(3). Retrieved online: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Thomas_Loder/publication/304992450_Reflections_on_Activist_v_Industry_Education_Conferences_in_North_Dakota's_Bakken_Shale/links/579d61a608ae6a2882f2eb57.pdf

This is a scholarly analysis of fracking that, which slightly off topic, adds nuance to my discussion on the role that energy pipelines play in the globalization debate, and how energy pipelines raise important questions related to environmental and social justice. The article is about fracking in North Dakota, part of an overall energy portfolio. It also approaches the energy and environmental issues from an anthropological perspective, which is why this article helps place my research into a broader context.

Nichol, J. (2002). Central Asia's New States: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests. Congressional Report. Retrieved online: http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA476187

This is a primary source document, a congressional report about energy pipelines in Central Asia and their impact on American foreign policy. The paper provides historical background on the issue and on the geographic area in general, as well as discussing the political realities in Central Asia post-9/11. Because the report is about more than just pipelines, it is instrumental in showing how energy fits into a broader context as a political and sociological issue. Energy pipelines are frankly discussed alongside humanitarian issues as well as issues related to global and national security.

Pipeline 101. Website retrieved: http://www.pipeline101.com/

Although I wish to use mainly scholarly and primary sources for my research, I thought it would also be important to have some background knowledge on the topic of energy pipelines. This website helps to provide much of the data related to pipelines, so that my research can be grounded. Offered by several energy associations and industry stakeholders like the American Petroleum Institute and the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, this website is hardly unbiased, but it does avoid some of the thorny political issues in most news and even most scholarly articles. The topics covered on this website include why we need pipelines, how pipelines work, where they are located, and whether they are safe. The website also offers links to related sources.

Purdon, M. & Breton, S.P. (2016). The Downstream Emissions Resulting from the Energy East Pipeline: an evaluation considering economic, technical and political risk factors. Climate Policy Working Paper No.2. Retrieved online: http://www.collectif-scientifique-gaz-de-schiste.com/accueil/images/pdf/texteschoisis/IQCarbone_EnergyEast_PurdonBreton_WP2_Complete.pdf

This is a primary source policy paper published by a Canadian group, IQCarbone. The paper analyzes the Energy East Pipeline, which is proposed to transport the raw materials harvested in Western Canada (such as Alberta) to Eastern Canada, where it would be refined and then sold on the international market. This source is unique because it distinguishes between "downstream" and "upstream" emissions, the downstream emissions referring to exported oil and gas and the inevitable environmental impact. With its focus on environmental concerns, this policy paper rounds out my discussion and research and provides a more intense focus not only on the North American market but also on the role of North American energy concerns in greenhouse gas emissions -- even emissions that come from oil consumed abroad.

Rapoza, K. (2017). Russia's Baltic Sea Pipeline Scares The Life Out Of Ukraine. Forbes. Feb 9, 2017. Retrieved online: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2017/02/09/russias-baltic-sea-pipeline-scares-the-life-out-of-ukraine/#52451768336b

Because my research will demonstrate the global issues related to energy pipelines, it is important to reveal how pipeline projects around the world create political problems. This article is about Russian energy company Gazprom's recent decision to push forward a Baltic Sea pipeline that would bypass pipelines in the Ukraine. The Ukraine in this case wants Russia to continue renting their pipelines, making this story an interesting counterpart to the North American pipelines, which are controversial for different reasons. My research will show how pipelines reflect social and political problems of globalization, and this source will become a starting point for talking about pipelines around the world.