Texas has long been the US’ energy capital, with its LNG industry leading the way in exports and innovation.
But thanks to outdated maritime laws and political gridlock, Texas is missing out on a prime opportunity to expand its market and boost its economy. That opportunity? Puerto Rico, claimed Javier Hernández.*
If President Trump signs a draft executive order granting Puerto Rico its independence, Texas LNG companies stand to gain tremendously.
A sovereign Puerto Rico — free from the constraints of the Jones Act, which currently blocks direct LNG shipments from Texas to the island — would become a major new market for Texas natural gas exports.
In Puerto Rico, support for national sovereignty (either via independence or free association) currently stands at an historic 43% and is the island-nation’s fastest growing political status option, particularly among the youth and professionals.
Supporting Puerto Rican independence would be a smart economic move that would inject billions into the Texas economy.
Jones Act barrier
Under current US law, the Jones Act requires that any shipment between two US ports must be carried on American-built, owned, and crewed ships. But here’s the problem - there’s only one Jones Act compliant LNGC in the US.
Without access to Texas LNG, Puerto Rico has been importing from countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Nigeria, Oman, and Spain.
This is deemed unacceptable. Puerto Rico is a US colonial territory, yet it has been forced to rely on foreign energy sources, while Texas energy companies are locked out of the market. But independence would change everything.
Puerto Rico’s LNG demand in September, 2024 alone was 3.49 bill cu ft, or around 41.88 bill cu ft annually. Texas, as a major LNG producer, could easily supply Puerto Rico’s entire demand once freed from Jones Act restrictions.
Companies like Cheniere Energy, Freeport LNG, and Golden Pass LNG are among the top Texan exporters that could immediately benefit from this policy shift.
By signing the draft executive order for Puerto Rico’s independence, which has been circulating in congressional offices, the White House, and among DC insiders, Trump would not only unlock billions in economic potential for Texas, while advancing America First policies in energy and trade, but also save the US over $617 bill in federal spending – funds that could be better spent in Texas.
*This is part of an article written by Javier Hernández who is a Puerto Rican writer, educator, linguist, former US Foreign Service specialist-federal law enforcement officer, and pro-sovereignty activist, strategist, and advisor.
