Manuel Lujan: “H.R. 2360 would clarify that U.S.-flagged vessels must be used for the transportation of merchandise, supplies…”

“H.R. 2360 would clarify that U.S.-flagged vessels must be used for the transportation of merchandise, supplies, construction materials, and maintenance materials between the U.S. mainland and offshore wind farms. The American Wind Energy Association has indicated that their member companies already operate in conformance with Jones Act requirements for offshore wind farms. The Offshore Wind Development Coalition testified on H.R. 2360 that wind developers already accept the applicability of the Jones Act for offshore wind farms. The Department of the Interior has testified that the relevant statutes already apply to offshore renewable energy installations. In addition, the Interior Department has also testified that H.R. 2360 would not expand current law, but that it would simply clarify that section 4(a) of Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act applies to renewable energy production offshore to the extent that there is any uncertainty. Comments on this bill from Customs and Border Protection echo the Interior Department's interpretation that H.R. 2360 would simply clarify that the Jones Act applies to offshore wind farms. The Customs and Border Protection comments also reaffirm the interpretation that H.R. 2360 would not expand current law to cover vessels responsible for laying transmission lines or other vessels assisting in the construction process beyond what the current law already provides. We share these interpretations of H.R. 2360 and of the underlying statutes.…”