Ever heard of the Jones Act? I didn’t before I came across several articles on its impact to energy supply and offshore wind. The Jones Acts is a century old law that was designed to protect the maritime industry. The key words in that description are century old.
The law requires any goods transported between U.S. ports to be carried on domestically built and owned ships manned by American crews.
I get it - protectionism. Maybe necessary 100 years ago, but perhaps a rethinking is in order. That’s because the Jones Act is driving up energy prices by hindering the shipments of oil and natural gas. It is also impacting the movement of the resources required for offshore wind.
Challenges are being addressed piecemeal, but maybe it’s time to revisit a law that no longer applies to today’s realities.