WASHINGTON — Congressman James Moylan announced Wednesday that the President has authorized a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act for oil and fuel shipments, a move he said will help stabilize fuel supply and ease energy costs for Guam families amid global supply disruptions tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Moylan said he was informed of the waiver by the White House. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on American-built, American-owned and American-crewed vessels, a requirement that can significantly increase shipping costs for noncontiguous jurisdictions like Guam.
“This temporary waiver is expected to help stabilize fuel supply and ease price pressures that directly impact the cost of electricity, transportation, and the overall cost of living for families in Guam,” Moylan said.
The congressman said he has been raising Guam’s shipping and energy cost challenges through the Interagency Group on Insular Areas and in discussions with federal partners. He said the waiver demonstrates that targeted federal flexibility can provide meaningful relief when supply chains are under pressure.
Moylan said he hopes the temporary measure can lay the groundwork for longer-term solutions to the shipping and energy challenges facing Guam and other U.S. territories.
“My hope is that this step can serve as a foundation for broader discussions on long-term solutions that address the unique shipping and energy challenges facing Guam and the territories,” he said.
