For Publishers
DiscoveryMetadataPeer reviewHostingPublishing
For Researchers
JoinPublishReviewCollect
Register
Blog
About
Search
Advanced search
My ScienceOpen
Search
For Publishers
For Researchers
Blog
About
443
views
0
references
 Top references
cited by
0
    
0 reviews
 Review
0
comments
 Comment
0
recommends
+1 Recommend
1 collections
    0
    shares
      76
      similar
       All similar

      If you have found this article useful and you think it is important that researchers across the world have access, please consider donating, to ensure that this valuable collection remains Open Access.

      The World Review of Political Economy is published by Pluto Journals, an Open Access publisher. This means that everyone has free and unlimited access to the full-text of all articles from our international collection of social science journals. Furthermore Pluto Journals authors don’t pay article processing charges (APCs).

       

       

      scite_

      World Review of Political Economy

      Volume 13, Issue 1
       
      • Record: found
      • Abstract: found
      • Article: found
      Is Open Access

      Explaining Contentious Energy Policy : Coxian Structural Forces, Environmental Issues, and the Keystone XL Pipeline

      Published
      research-article
      Author(s):
      Publication date (Electronic, epreprint):
      Journal: World Review of Political Economy
      Publisher: Pluto Journals
      Keywords: energy policy, policy motivations, Keystone XL, Coxian theory, global politics
      Bookmark

            Abstract

            The Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline is one of the most polarised examples of contemporary American energy politics. The pipeline policy process has not been stable, so it should be analysed over time via a holistic, historical view of interacting dimensions. Robert Cox’s theoretical notions of the “materials–ideas–institutions” balance are drawn upon to understand how actors’ motivations behind policy development were re-shaped through temporal processes over nearly two decades. A critical feature identified is how such interacting dimensions became significant according to specific US presidential administrations: each, in turn, shifting the direction of decision-making around KXL. The article’s originality lies in operationalising the theory to give an alternative, dynamic explanation for policy motivations around the KXL while also establishing a novel theoretical lens to generally view such policy development.

            Content

            Author and article information

            Journal
            Journal ID (doi): 10.13169/worlrevipoliecon
            Title: World Review of Political Economy
            Abbreviated Title: WRPE
            Publisher: Pluto Journals
            ISSN (Electronic): 2042-8928
            Publication date (Electronic, epreprint): 15 June 2022
            Volume: 13
            Issue: 1
            Pages: 118-143
            Article
            DOI: 10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.13.1.0118
            SO-VID: 20d20034-dcad-40c0-b56a-9131c99f87f4
            Copyright © © 2022 Suleyman Orhun Altiparmak
            License:

            All content is freely available without charge to users or their institutions. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission of the publisher or the author. Articles published in the journal are distributed under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

            History
            Page count
            Pages: 26
            Categories
            Subject: Articles

            ScienceOpen disciplines: Political economics
            Keywords: energy policy,policy motivations,Keystone XL,Coxian theory,global politics

            References

            1. . 2009. Reflexive Methodology: New Vistas for Qualitative Research. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

            2. 1992. “ Historical Sociology and Time.” Sociological Methods & Research 20 ( 4): 456– 480.

            3. AICAPP (Anderson Insight for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers). 2012. Research Results: American Opinions about Canadian Oil. Accessed July 4, 2018. https://www.capp.ca/~/media/capp/customer-portal/documents/216936.pdf?la=en&modified=20150309152318.

            4. API (American Petroleum Institute). 2015. “ President Obama Should Follow Congress’ Lead on KXL.” Accessed July 4, 2018. http://www.api.org/news-policy-and-issues/news/2015/01/09/president-obama-should-follow-congress-l.

            5. 2013. The Pipeline and the Paradigm: Keystone XL, Tar Sands, and the Battle to Defuse the Carbon Bomb. Washington, DC: Duka Press.

            6. 2020. “ Issuance of the Keystone XL Permit: Presidential Prerogative or Presidential ‘Chutzpah.’” Montana Law Review 81 ( 1): 1– 54.

            7. 2013. Material Politics: Disputes along the Pipeline. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

            8. BBC . 2019. “ Trans Mountain: Canada Approves $5.5bn Oil Pipeline Project.” Accessed June 21, 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48641293.

            9. BP. 2019. “ BP Annual Report.” Accessed June 21, 2019. https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/investors/results-and-reporting/annual-report.html.

            10. 2015. “ Blockadia Rising: Rowdy Greens, Direct Action and the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Critical Criminology 23 ( 4): 433– 448.

            11. . 2018. “ Energy Infrastructure and the Fate of the Nation: Introduction to Special Issue.” Energy Research & Social Science 41: 1– 11.

            12. 2008. “ Critical Theory.” In The SAGE Encyclopaedia of Qualitative Research Methods, edited by , 174– 179. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.

            13. Bush Center. 2015. “ Disappointment in Obama Administration’s Rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed July 4, 2018. http://www.bushcenter.org/about-the-center/newsroom/press-releases/2015/11/disappointment-in-obama-administrations-rejection-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-.html.

            14. CAPP (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers). 2017. “ Crude Oil Forecast, Markets and Transportation.” Accessed July 13, 2018. http://www.oscaalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CAPP-2017-Crude-Oil-Forecast.pdf.

            15. . 2018. Activism and the Fossil Fuel Industry. Oxon: Routledge.

            16. CNN & ORC. 2014. “ Poll.” Accessed July 13, 2018. http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2015/images/01/14/keystone.pdf.

            17. Congress of the United States. 2009. “ H.R.2454—American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2454.

            18. Congress of the United States. 2011. “ H.R.1938—North American-Made Energy Security Act.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/1938/text.

            19. Congress of the United States. 2014. “ H.R.5682—To Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5682.

            20. Congress of the United States. 2015. “ H.R.3—Keystone XL Pipeline Act.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3/actions.

            21. 1981. “ Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory.” Millennium: Journal of International Studies 10 ( 2): 126– 155.

            22. 1992. “ Multilateralism and World Order.” Review of International Studies 18 ( 2): 161– 180.

            23. 1993a. “ Towards a Post-Hegemonic Conceptualisation of World Order: Reflections on the Relevancy of Ibn Khaldun.” In Gramsci, Historical Materialism and International Relations, 1st ed., edited by , 132– 159. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

            24. 1993b. “ Gramsci, Hegemony and International Relations: An Essay in Method.” In Gramsci, Historical Materialism and International Relations, 1st ed., edited by , 49– 66. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

            25. . 2002. The Political Economy of a Plural World: Critical Reflection on Power, Morals and Civilisation. London: Routledge.

            26. 2014. Keystone & Beyond: Tar Sands and the National Interest in the Era of Climate Change. Brooklyn, NY: Inside Climate News.

            27. DOS (Department of State). 2004. “ Executive Order 13337: Issuance of Permits with respect to Certain Energy-Related Facilities and Land Transportation Crossings on the International Boundaries of the United States.” Accessed July 2, 2018. https://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/95020.htm.

            28. DOS. 2008a. “ Record of Decision and National Interest Determination: TransCanada Keystone Pipeline.” Accessed July 2, 2018. https://puc.sd.gov/commission/dockets/hydrocarbonpipeline/2007/hp07-001/111908/signed.pdf.

            29. DOS. 2008b. “ United States Department of State Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone Oil Pipeline Project.” Accessed July 2, 2018. https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/08/f25/EIS-0410-FEIS-2008-Sections_1-5.pdf.

            30. DOS. 2012. “ Report to Congress: Under the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 Section 501(b)(2).” Accessed July 17, 2018. https://2009–2017.state.gov/e/eb/esc/iec/permit/keystonexl/182277.htm.

            31. DOS. 2013. “ Keystone XL Pipeline Evaluation Process Factsheet 2013.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/documents/organization/205761.pdf.

            32. EDF (Environmental Defense Fund). 2019. “ How Cap and Trade Works.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.edf.org/climate/how-cap-and-trade-works.

            33. EIA (Energy Information Administration). 2019. “ Petroleum & Other Liquids.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/data.php#crude.

            34. EIA. 2020a. “ Cushing, OK WTI Spot Price FOB.” Accessed October 6, 2020. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=RWTC&f=A.

            35. EIA. 2020b. “ U.S. Net Imports of Crude Oil.” Accessed October 6, 2020. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=MCRNTUS2&f=A.

            36. EIA. 2020c. “ U.S. Field Production of Crude Oil.” Accessed October 6, 2020. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=MCRFPUS2&f=A.

            37. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). 2013. “ Comments on Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://alternativeenergy.procon.org/sourcefiles/keystone-xl-project-epa-comment-letter-apr-2013.pdf.

            38. . 2014. “ Impact of the Keystone XL Pipeline on Global Oil Markets and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Nature Climate Change 4 ( 1): 778– 781.

            39. 2014. “ Labour, Environmentalism and the Keystone XL Pipeline: Strategies for Economic Justice and Union Renewal.” Accessed June 21, 2019. https://www.global-labour-university.org/fileadmin/GLU_conference_2014/papers/ElyFair-KeystonePipelineSubmission.pdf.

            40. Frontiers of Freedom. 2015. “ Letters of Support S.1. Keystone Act.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://archives-energycommerce.house.gov/news-center/letters/letters-support-s-1-keystone-xl-pipeline-approval-act.

            41. . 1989. “ Global Hegemony and the Structural Power of Capital.” International Studies Quarterly 33 ( 4): 475– 499.

            42. . 2015. “ Politics, Proximity and the Pipeline: Mapping Public Attitudes toward Keystone XL.” Energy Policy 83 ( 1): 99– 108.

            43. 2013. Cross-National Research of Social Work: Designing Comparative Studies. Accessed June 21, 2019. http://www.iuc.hr/IucAdmin/Server/downloads/Juha_Hamalainen_Cross_national_Research_of_Social_Work.pdf.

            44. 1987. “ Critical Theory and the Inter-paradigm Debate.” Millennium: Journal of International Studies 16 ( 2): 231– 249.

            45. 2020. “ Explaining Variation in Oil Sands Pipeline Projects.” Canadian Journal of Political Science 53 ( 3): 1– 20.

            46. 2010. “ Cultural Political Economy and Critical Policy Studies.” Critical Policy Studies 3 ( 3–4): 336– 356.

            47. 2012. “ Thirst for Oil and the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Creighton Law Review 46 ( 1): 1– 26.

            48. 2015. “ (Re)constructing the Pipeline: Workers, Environmentalists and Ideology in Media Coverage of the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Critical Sociology 43 ( 6): 1– 25.

            49. . 2018. “ Fossil Fuel Supply and Climate Policy: Exploring the Road Less Taken.” Climate Change 150 ( 1): 1– 13.

            50. . 2005. “ A Neo-Gramscian Approach to Business in International Environmental Politics: An Interdisciplinary, Multi-level Framework.” In The Business of Global Environmental Governance, edited by , 47– 69. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

            51. 2019. “ The Once and Future Liberal Order.” Survival: Global Politics and Strategy 61 ( 2): 7– 32.

            52. 2014. “ Ben Carson Not Convinced on Global Warming.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014–11-26/ben-carson-not-convinced-on-global-warming.

            53. NAM (National Association of Manufacturers). 2015. “ Letters of Support S.1. Keystone Act.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://archives-energycommerce.house.gov/news-center/letters/letters-support-s-1-keystone-xl-pipeline-approval-act.

            54. NEB (National Energy Board). 2005. “ NEB Intervenor Information Request for Mackenzie Gas Project.” Accessed July 2, 2018. https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/pplctnflng/mjrpp/mcknzgsxtnsn/index-eng.html#s1].

            55. NEB. 2006. “ Keystone Pipeline Project: Preliminary Information Package.” Accessed July 2, 2018. https://docs2.neb-one.gc.ca/ll-eng/llisapi.dll/fetch/2000/90464/90552/418396/418493/417881/A0U9A7_-_Preliminary_Information_Package.pdf?nodeid=417885&vernum=-2.

            56. NEB. 2013. “ Market Diversification for Canadian Oil and Gas.” Accessed June 25, 2019. http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/pplctnflng/mjrpp/kstnxl2/index-eng.html.

            57. NEB. 2019. “ Energy Information Program—Glossary.” Accessed June 25, 2019. http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/nrg/tl/glssr-eng.html.

            58. National Geographic . 2010. “ Heat Wave: 2010 to Be One of Hottest Years on Record.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/07/100726-heat-wave-hottest-year-2010-global-warming-science-environment/.

            59. National Geographic Blog. 2014. “ Cowboys and Indians Stand Together against Keystone XL.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2014/05/14/cowboys-and-indians-stand-together-against-keystone-xl/.

            60. New York Times . 2012. “ Hillary Clinton Says She Opposes Keystone Pipeline.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/22/hillary-clinton-says-she-opposes-keystone-pipeline/?mtrref=undefined&gwh=5759B0E76FC8D7091A341EE201244862&gwt=pay.

            61. 2008. “ The Political Economy of Global Environmental Governance.” Review of International Studies 34 ( 3): 507– 529.

            62. 2019. “ Trasformismo or Transformation? The Global Political Economy of Energy Transitions.” Review of International Political Economy 26 ( 1): 25– 48.

            63. . 1998. “ A Climate for Business: Global Warming, the State and Capital.” Review of International Political Economy 5 ( 4): 679– 703.

            64. . 2011. “ Keystone XL Pipeline Project: Key Issues.” Congressional Research Service Report. Accessed July 3, 2018. https://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1880&context=key_workplace.

            65. Pew Research Center. 2013. “ Continued Support for Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed July 3, 2018. http://www.people-press.org/2013/09/26/continued-support-for-keystone-xl-pipeline/.

            66. Pew Research Center. 2014. “ Little Enthusiasm, Familiar Division after the GOP’s Bid Midterm Victor: Most Expect Obama to Get Little Done over Next Two Years.” Accessed July 4, 2018. http://www.people-press.org/2014/11/12/little-enthusiasm-familiar-divisions-after-the-gops-big-midterm-victory/.

            67. 1950. White Settlers and Native Peoples. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

            68. Priceofoil.org . 2017. “ 460,000+ Comments against Keystone XL Delivered to Nebraska Commission.” Accessed July 13, 2018. http://priceofoil.org/2017/08/10/keystone-xl-psc-comment-delivery/.

            69. Protect the Sacred Gathering. 2013. “ Overview of the Protect the Sacred Gathering—Brave Heart Society Grandmother Faith Spotted Eagle.” [video.] Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZfCGtpQWGM.

            70. 2012. “ Keystone Pipeline Should Move Forward.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/fighting-for-florida?ID=79fea49f-935b-42f2-9864-b379a48c6fd0.

            71. 1995. Producing Hegemony: The Politics of Mass Production and American Global Power. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

            72. . 2014. “ Green Budgeting in an Age of Austerity: A Transatlantic Comparative Perspective.” Environmental Politics 23 ( 2): 243– 262.

            73. 2012. “ Sanders Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-keystone-xl-pipeline.

            74. 2010. “ EPA Slams State Department on Proposed Oil Pipeline.” Inside Climate News. Accessed July 3, 2018. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20100727/epa-slams-state-department-proposed-oil-pipeline.

            75. 2015. “ Donald Trump Supports the Keystone Pipeline.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/18/politics/donald-trump-keystone-pipeline-support/.

            76. Senate of the United States. 2014. “ S.2280–A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed July 17, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2280.

            77. Senate of the United States. 2015. “ S.1–Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1/actions.

            78. 2016. “ Robert W. Cox’s Method of Historical Structures Redux.” Globalizations 13 ( 5): 510– 519.

            79. 2011. “ The Power in Carbon: A Neo-Gramscian Explanation for the EU’s Adoption of Emissions Trading.” Accessed November 10, 2020. https://epub.sub.uni-hamburg.de/epub/volltexte/2018/76965/pdf/wps_no04.pdf.

            80. . 2020. “ Grassroots Resistance to Energy Project Encroachment: Analysing Environmental Mobilisation against the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Journal of Civil Society 16 ( 1): 44– 60.

            81. The Heritage Foundation. 2001. “ Why President Bush Is Right to Abandon the Kyoto Protocol.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.heritage.org/environment/report/why-president-bush-right-abandon-the-kyoto-protocol#pgfId=1137620.

            82. United States District Court for Montana. 2018. “ In the United States District Court for the District of Montana Great Falls Division.” Accessed June 25, 2019. http://www.nacwa.org/docs/default-source/resources--public/montanavariancedecision032519.pdf?sfvrsn=2.

            83. TransCanada. 2005. Annual Report: 2004. Accessed January 18, 2022. https://www.annualreports.com/Company/transcanada-corporation.

            84. TransCanada. 2006a. Annual Report: 2005. Accessed January 18, 2022. https://www.annualreports.com/Company/transcanada-corporation.

            85. TransCanada. 2006b. “ Keystone Pipeline Preliminary Information Package Cover Letter.” Accessed July 2, 2018. https://apps.neb-one.gc.ca/REGDOCS/Item/View/417881.

            86. TransCanada. 2008. “ Keystone Pipeline to Expand to Serve the U.S. Gulf Coast.” Accessed July 2, 2018. https://www.transcanada.com/en/announcements/2008–07-16keystone-pipeline-to-expand-to-serve-the-u.s.-gulf-coast.

            87. TransCanada. 2012. “ TransCanada Will Re-apply for a Keystone XL Permit.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://www.transcanada.com/en/announcements/2012–01-18transcanada-will-re-apply-for-a-keystone-xl-permit/.

            88. TransCanada. 2020. “ T. C. Energy to Build Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed October 6, 2020. https://www.transcanada.com/en/announcements/2012–01-18transcanada-will-re-apply-for-a-keystone-xl-permit/.

            89. UCC (United States Chamber of Commerce). 2015. “ Letters of Support S.1. Keystone Act.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://archives-energycommerce.house.gov/news-center/letters/letters-support-s-1-keystone-xl-pipeline-approval-act.

            90. West Virginia University. 2015. “ Determinants of Voting Behaviour on the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://business.wvu.edu/files/d/f14858a0-ebd5-4f73-a27c-f6e6c1ab37d1/15–35.pdf.

            91. White House. 2011a. “ Statement by the President on the State Department’s Keystone XL Pipeline Announcement.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/10/statement-president-state-departments-keystone-xl-pipeline-announcement.

            92. White House. 2011b. “ Readout by the Press Secretary on the President’s Meeting with Prime Minister Harper of Canada.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/13/readout-press-secretary-presidents-meeting-prime-minister-harper-canada.

            93. White House. 2015a. “ Veto Message to the Senate: S.1, Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/02/24/veto-message-senate-s-1-keystone-xl-pipeline-approval-act.

            94. White House. 2015b. “ Statement by the President on the Keystone XL Pipeline.” Accessed July 4, 2018. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/11/06/statement-president-keystone-xl-pipeline.

            95. White House. 2017. “ President Trump Takes Action to Expedite Priority Energy and Infrastructure Projects.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-trump-takes-action-expedite-priority-energy-infrastructure-projects/.

            96. White House. 2019. “ Presidential Permit.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-permit/.

            97. White House. 2021. “ Executive Order on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.” Accessed July 13, 2018. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/.

            98. 1994. Case Study Research Design and Methods: Applied Social Research and Methods Series. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.

            99. 2020. “ Legal Options to Stop the Revival of Keystone XL Pipeline.” Environmental Claims Journal 32 ( 3): 201– 220.

            100. 2012. “ Increasing Energy Security.” Accessed July 3, 2018. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/01/18/increasing-energy-security.

            Comments

            Comment on this article