Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that nearly 100 vessels have used the Jones Act waiver granted by President Donald Trump, which allowed refiners to use foreign-flagged ships to transport fuel between United States ports. The Jones Act waiver “has been used enormously,” Wright said in testimony Wednesday before the House Science Space and Technology committee. “I think close to 100 ships already have used that Jones Act waiver.” The Jones Act is a law that requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried only by American-built ships. The waiver is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to lower oil prices, which have been elevated due to the war in Iran.
The Trump administration first issued a waiver in March and then extended it in April by 90 days, giving refiners until July.
As of June 8th, there have been 95 total voyages that have used the Jones Act waiver, according to a CATO Institute tracker. In particular, the waiver could help lower the cost of transporting oil from Gulf refineries to the East Coast and other parts of the country, such as California.
Wright said California imports much of its oil from the Persian Gulf, South America, and across the Pacific Ocean.
