Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking Tuesday at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, said the waiver has enabled roughly 200 voyages moving energy particularly to California and has kept fuel prices lower on both coasts than they otherwise would be. He described another temporary extension as "quite likely," adding that "when we get energy flows back to normal again, things will go back to as they were." MARAD records reviewed by gCaptain showed 196 approved voyages as of July 28. The waiver, first invoked in March under Section 501 of the Merchant Marine Act citing national defense concerns tied to the Middle East conflict, expires August 16 after nearly 200 uses.
Context
The Secretary's remarks align with the White House stance reported on August 4 that an extension was expected in the coming days, as the waiver nears its August 16 expiry.
