Napolitano expands scope of Jones Act waiver

NOVEMBER 4, 2012 — Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano yesterday announced the expansion of the temporary, blanket waiver of the Jones Act, issued Friday, to also facilitate the transportation of feedstocks, blending components, and additives used to produce fuels.

Secretary Napolitano issued the temporary, blanket waiver Friday to immediately allow additional oil tankers coming from the Gulf of Mexico to enter Northeastern ports, to provide additional fuel resources to the region battered by Hurricane Sandy (see earlier story).

Saturday’s action by Secretary Napolitano further expands the waiver to additional ships to begin shipping petroleum products or other feedstocks, blending components, and additives used to produce fuels, from the Gulf of Mexico to Northeastern ports, increasing the access to fuel in the storm damaged region. The waiver is operative through November 13th.

The Department of Homeland Security says the step was taken as soon as additional assets that could be used to bring resources to the area were identified, as part of the Administration’s efforts to ensure barriers to bringing assets to bear are removed.