The oil industry is rife with controversial topics, but the "third rail" of US energy politics is the Jones Act, which spells out shipping standards for goods (including oil) transported by water between American ports.
Platts senior editors Herman Wang and Brian Scheid dive into how the Jones Act has increased costs of moving crude and products between US ports, prompting domestic refiners to fight for changes to the nearly century-old law.
But every attempt to change the law has been subjected to the wrath of maritime lobbyists and a diverse group of lawmakers from throughout the US.
Check back every Monday for the latest analysis of US oil policy news from leading Platts editors covering the Capitol. E-mail the editors at brian.scheid@platts.com and herman.wang@platts.com.
We welcome any feedback or suggestions for topics. Contact us at webeditor@platts.com.