Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres introduced legislation Thursday aimed at lowering energy costs for residents of Puerto Rico and other noncontiguous parts of the United States.

His bill, shared first with Spectrum News NY1, would create a carve out to the Jones Act, a century old law which mandates that the transport of cargo between U.S. ports only can be done by U.S.-owned, -built, -crewed, and -flagged ships. 

Under Torres’ bill, oil and other energy products transported to Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Puerto Rico would be exempt from Jones Act restrictions. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii and Delegate James Moylan of Guam are also sponsoring the legislation.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Ritchie Torres' bill would create a carve out to the Jones Act for energy products transported to Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Puerto Rico

  • Critics say the law has contributed to higher costs because there are not enough vessels that are Jones Act-compliant, forcing places like Puerto Rico to look outside the U.S. for resources and energy products 

  • The Jones Act, a century old law which mandates that the transport of cargo between U.S. ports only can be done by U.S.-owned, -built, -crewed, and -flagged ships. The goal: boost the U.S. maritime industry

“The Jones Act has become a barrier to energy access and affordability in noncontiguous regions, and it’s time to change that,” Torres said in a statement. “The Noncontiguous Energy Relief and Access Act is a common-sense reform that will lower energy costs, strengthen domestic energy supply chains, and bring long-overdue relief to millions of Americans who are unfairly burdened by these constraints.”

The Jones Act, formally the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, was created with the goal of boosting the U.S. maritime industry, both to support commercial activity and ensure there is a fleet that can transport supplies in times of war or emergency.

Critics say the law has contributed to higher costs because there are not enough vessels that are Jones Act-compliant, forcing places like Puerto Rico to look outside the U.S. for resources and energy products. 

Data compiled by the Cato Institute shows nearly all the liquified natural gas that Puerto Rico imported in 2019, 2020 and 2021 came from foreign countries.

Temporary waivers to the Jones Act have been issued in the past, including after Hurricane Maria battered Puerto Rico and Superstorm Sandy hit the Northeast U.S. And there have been calls for its permanent repeal in the past, including by the late Sen. John McCain.

In a statement, Case, a Democrat, argued the Jones Act uniquely punishes the people he represents in Hawaii.

“The result is federally created monopolies on our community lifelines and resulting extortionist shipping prices passed through to sky-high costs for food, fuel and electricity,” he said. “By exempting energy shipments from the Jones Act, this measure would bring immediate, targeted relief to Americans who bear its harshest consequences, through no fault of their own.”

Moylan, a Republican, wrote, “This legislation aims to lower energy costs for families and businesses in noncontiguous states and territories, expand opportunities for U.S. energy companies, and improve access to critical energy infrastructure.”