Mixed-Method Analysis of the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Critical Social Theory and Cost Analyses

Date of Award

5-25-2007

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science

Organizational Unit

University College, Environmental Policy and Management

Disciplines

Environmental Policy & Mgmt

First Advisor

Steven Bissell

Keywords

Critical social theory, Petroleum reserves, SPR, Strategic petroleum reserve, United States, Office of strategic petroleum reserve

Abstract

The project discusses the costs and benefits associated with the expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Bush Administration has recently stated a desire to double the size of the reserve to a level of 1.5 billion barrels of oil, based upon the country's increasing dependence on imported oil. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is intended to cushion the impact of potential oil price shocks resulting from supply disruptions. If all economic, environmental, and social costs are included in the decision of expansion; the costs outweigh the benefits as the benefits associated with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve have yet to be fully realized. This paper indicates changes in economic and energy policy preclude the need to expand the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

This document is currently not available here.



Share

COinS