Oil Reserves Sidestep U.S. Vessels

In its hurry to transport millions of barrels of oil from federal stockpiles to stabilize world oil prices earlier this summer, the Obama administration has repeatedly bypassed federal law by allowing nearly all the oil to move on foreign-owned vessels, drawing protests from domestic maritime operators.

The domestic ship owners say that 46 times the administration has waived the Jones Act, a 90-year-old law requiring purely domestic cargo to move on United States-flagged ships except under extraordinary circumstances. Only once this summer has oil from the reserve moved on American barges.

New York Times


When I read this this morning I was reminded of something that was disscussed here on ATS earlier this year...


Obama declares national state of emergency over Libya

ATS Thread


At the time we were trying to wrap our heads around WHY the US declared a state of emergency. It took 6 months, but now we know. Declaring a SOE the administration set the stage for oil companies to use foriegn owned vessels to transport oil reserves that BY LAW were to be transported by American vessels and crews.

Even as unemployment hovered over 9 percent, the administration approved dozens of applications to transport nearly 30 million barrels of domestic crude oil within the borders of the United States on tankers employing foreign crews and flying the flags of the Marshall Islands, Panama and other countries.

The move, which saved time and money for the oil companies that bought the oil, took potential work from more than 30 American cargo vessels and as many as 400 sailors, American ship owners said in recent days.

I could try for a witty comment concerning Hope and Change but I've got to leave for work.

Business as usual.