washington u.s. government friday say temporarily waive law limit availability cargoes u.s. coast step ensure enough fuel reach emergency responders hurricane irma wake hurricane harvey jones act mandate use u.s.-flagged vessels transport merchandise u.s. coast department homeland security waive requirement one week allow oil gas operators use often cheap tax-free readily available foreign-flagged vessels harvey hit texas record flood wide effect disrupt fuel distribution across florida georgia southeastern state shut refineries pipelines hurricane irma one powerful atlantic storm century expect hit florida days region experience one large mass evacuations american history see historic level restoration response crew say elaine duke act secretary homeland security waive jones act ensure fuel support lifesaving efforts restore service infrastructure wake storm duke say u.s waive jones act secure fuel hurricane responders