A US and EU Comparison on Securing Critical Infrastructure

Abstract

Kevin McGrath Abstract This thesis looks to assess the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in building critical energy infrastructure, and its implications for energy and national security. The clear majority of academic literature in energy security focuses exclusively on energy supply, and demand, but there is little written on the security issues facing countries when financing critical energy infrastructure projects. Through assessing the (1) recent history of privatization, (2) the development of the domestic PPP model, and (3) current relationships with PPPs in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France this thesis will look to identify the underlying domestic cultural normative debate which is driving policy making decisions. By understanding the general historical trends of privatization, and economic ideologies in governments over the past 40+ years, we can see the current and future trends in building critical energy infrastructure. By understanding the constantly evolving factors, and interdependencies at play, this thesis highlights the role of public-private partnerships in critical energy infrastructure, and energy security in general.