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Noncontiguous Energy Relief and Access Act of 2025

H.R. 3167 · 119th Congress · May 1, 2025 · Lineage

A BILL

To amend title 46, United States Code, to allow for the transportation of energy products on vessels between points in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply if at least one such point is in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Noncontiguous Energy Relief and Access Act of 2025”.

Sec. 2 Energy products exemption

Section 55102 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a) to read as follows:

“(a) Definitions—In this subsection:

“(1) Covered noncontiguous trade—The term covered noncontiguous trade means—

“(A) trade between—

“(i) one of the contiguous 48 States; and

“(ii) Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and

“(B) trade between—

“(i) a place in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and

“(ii) another place in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

“(2) Energy products—The term energy products means any equipment, component of equipment, or energy source for the generation, storage, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

“(3) Energy source—The term energy source means—

“(A) liquefied natural gas or any other energy source needed for the generation of electricity; and

“(B) a petroleum product.

“(4) Equipment—The term equipment means power generators, storage units, wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric plants, and any other components needed for the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.

“(5) Merchandise—The term merchandise includes—

“(A) merchandise owned by the United States Government, a State, or a subdivision of a State; and

“(B) valueless material.

“(6) Petroleum product—The term petroleum product has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6202).”

(2)
by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(3)
by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

“(c) Energy products exemption—Subsection (b) shall not apply with respect to transportation of energy products in covered noncontiguous trade on a vessel.”