Why waive the Jones Act? Expanding access to American energy is a clear win.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Geoff Moody issued the following statement emphasizing how recent Jones Act waivers benefit American consumers as policymakers debate the law's role in today's energy supply challenges:

"Jones Act waivers immediately increased the number of vessels that can take fuel shipments from the Gulf Coast to the East and West Coasts. Since the waiver has been in effect, parts of the country that, through a history of poor policy choices, had no choice but to rely in part on imported energy now have access to more American-made fuel. Increased flexibility to get fuels to markets is unequivocally a good outcome for American consumers."

Early results underscore how this increased shipping flexibility has already improved the delivery of American fuel to the East and West coasts:

• Look at the shipment records from the Gulf to the Coasts: Waiver Data Reveal How the Jones Act Blocks American Trade | Cato at Liberty Blog
• With USGC supplies moving to the coasts, imports of gasoline into both coasts has declined (based on EIA data).
• West coast demand for Gulf coast gasoline and blending components has been firm, with shipments amounting to 2.33mn bl from the start of April to 13 May, up from none over the same period the year before.