For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the expansion of the temporary, blanket waiver of the Jones Act, issued yesterday, to also facilitate the transportation of feedstocks, blending components, and additives used to produce fuels.
As a result of impacts caused by Hurricane Sandy, yesterday Secretary Napolitano issued a temporary, blanket waiver of the Jones Act to immediately allow additional oil tankers coming from the Gulf of Mexico to enter Northeastern ports, to provide additional fuel resources to the region.
With this announcement, Secretary Napolitano's action 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 step was taken as soon as additional assets that could be used to bring resources to the area were identified, as part of the Administrations priority to ensure barriers to bring assets to bear are removed.
The Administration is continuing to monitor the situation and is prepared to take additional actions as necessary to ensure that the energy needs of the region affected by Hurricane Sandy are met.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.
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