OIL TRANSPORT AND PROTECTING CLEAN WATER: THE CASE OF THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE (DAPL)

Abstract

Oil frequently plays a crucial role in modern industrial economies. It is a very costly natural resource for those countries that do not have it, but very profitable for those that do. Yet, developing oil resources and transporting them to market has its own costs, not only in terms of production but also in terms of impacts on other valuable natural resources such as clean water. Not surprisingly, governments can have strict environmental regulations concerning oil transport. However, such regulations can be complicated, especially in countries like the United States where many different government agencies claim jurisdiction, especially at differing spatial scales. Consequently, conflict can result from competing interests, pitting those developing oil resources against those already using resources such as clean water. This paper explores the complicated geographies of environmental regulations and how competing entities pursue and protect their interests through environmental ligation. In doing so, this study uses the example of the Dakota Access Pipeline (the DAPL) because the conflict surrounding it garnered considerable national and international attention.