In Puerto Rico, an oil tanker will begin unloading 300,000 barrels of diesel fuel to the island, after the Biden administration granted a limited exemption to shipping restrictions under the century-old Jones Act. 

San Juan, October 1 (RHC)-- In Puerto Rico, an oil tanker will begin unloading 300,000 barrels of diesel fuel to the island, after the Biden administration granted a limited exemption to shipping restrictions under the century-old Jones Act. 

Earlier, Puerto Rico’s Governor Pedro Pierlusi called on the White House to waive shipping restrictions under the Jones Act -- a century-old law requiring that only U.S.-flagged ships carry goods between two points in the U.S.  This comes as a ship carrying diesel for the BP oil company remains idling off the coast of Puerto Rico.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said the fuel was needed to provide electricity to critical facilities, as Puerto Rico recovers from Hurricane Fiona.  

Nearly two weeks after the storm collapsed the island’s fragile electrical grid, about 20% of homes and businesses remain without power, and there are widespread shortages of clean drinking water.

One resident of Suan Juan, the Puerto Rican capital, told reporters:  “We have spent more than a week without water or power.  The authorities haven’t done anything for us.  It’s very bad here.  It’s rough. Those who come by give us a little water and leave.  We are in a rough shape.  We lost everything."