Date of Award

8-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Program

Sociology

Department

Sociology

Major Professor

Baxter, Vern

Second Advisor

Mann, Susan

Third Advisor

Laska, Shirley

Abstract

The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 amended the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 allowing energy industries to construct offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals. The industry friendly amendments weakened environmental regulations resulting in quick approval of several terminals that utilize environmentally damaging open-loop regasification systems. The objectives of this case study are to determine what influences national energy security and energy industries have in offshore LNG policy development and what energy policy tactics are utilized by the George W. Bush administration. Senate testimony, industry publications, federal legislation, and permit case studies reveal the prominence of concerns for national energy security and industry complaints over terminal siting and permitting process delays. An eco-Marxist argument is visible when the Bush Administration centralizes the policy process by working cooperatively with energy industry elites to promote energy development and attempts to limit the role of certain federal and state agencies and citizens.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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