Russia must pay a heavy price for invading a sovereign, democratic nation.
But this terrible war should also remind us why it’s crazy for democracies to be dependent on Russia for energy. It’s a basic point but one that needs restating: Buying energy supplies from Russia makes President Vladimir Putin stronger and more able to export aggression. One way the United States could restrain Putin’s energy racket would be to grant a Jones Act waiver for transporting liquefied natural gas. Alongside easing permits for new LNG export terminals, Biden could boost LNG supplies to our allies and reduce their dependence on Russian energy.
In recent years, an LNG port in Everett, Massachusetts, has received shipments of gas primarily from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Nigeria. However, it has also received small amounts of LNG from Russia. If not for an archaic shipping regulation protecting a nonexistent industry, this never would have happened.
The Jones Act dictates that for goods to be shipped from one U.S. port to another, the ship must be built, staffed, and operated by Americans. However, there are virtually no ships in the American fleet that can make the trek from the Gulf of Mexico to New England to deliver LNG. The couple of ships that are compliant primarily refuel other ships.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is an LNG powerhouse. So if we’re so rich in this natural resource, why are we hindering our domestic industry to benefit foreign countries, including Russia?
Proponents of the Jones Act argue that it’s necessary to protect jobs involved in building and staffing ships. However, moving LNG from the Gulf of Mexico to New England by water is a nonexistent industry. No Americans are building ships to do it. Therefore, no Americans are working on ships that do the job either!
Changing the rule would also benefit consumers and help ease inflation. It would lower the cost of natural gas for New Englanders heating their homes during the cold winters while supporting American industry.
The move wouldn’t threaten the maritime industry in my congressional district, the Massachusetts 9th District, which includes Massachusetts Maritime Academy. It would, however, negatively affect Russia’s energy sector while putting America first.
Plus, a Jones Act waiver would reduce carbon emissions. The act encourages transportation by truck and rail. They’re less fuel-efficient methods than transporting by water.
Unfortunately, President Joe Biden supports the Jones Act. However, amending the act gives Biden a chance to look out for Americans and our allies and take action against Putin. Even if Biden supports the rest of the act, he should make this one tweak to stand up to Putin.
Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports) is a political reporter for the New Boston Post in Massachusetts. He is also a freelance writer who has been published in USA Today, the Boston Globe, Newsday, ESPN, the Detroit Free Press, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Federalist, and a number of other outlets.
