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3 clusters · 15 sources · 22 days · First seen · Last updated

US state emergency declarations over diesel fuel costs

Overview

In late September 2026, governors in Arkansas and Texas declared states of emergency to address rising diesel fuel costs and shortages impacting the agricultural, ranching, and transportation sectors. In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued an executive order allowing farmers and timber operators to use dyed diesel on public highways without state taxes or penalties. Similarly, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared an emergency to waive restrictions on dyed diesel, commercial shipping weight limits, and certain emission standards.

By mid-October, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also declared a state of emergency, permitting the use of untaxed or dyed diesel on public roads. This measure, which follows a federal executive order, aims to provide relief from rising fuel costs attributed to the ongoing war in Iran. The Kentucky order is intended to assist farmers transporting products during the fall harvest and will remain in effect until the conflict in Iran ends or the federal order expires on December 31, 2026.

On October 21, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a 60-day state of emergency across all 55 counties to combat soaring diesel prices. The order temporarily suspends state penalties for commercial vehicles using red-dyed diesel on public highways, a move estimated to save drivers approximately 20.5 cents per gallon. This follows a federal executive order signed on October 5 directing the Treasury Department to examine deferring federal excise taxes. West Virginia officials noted that diesel prices had risen to approximately $6.34 per gallon, up from $3.57 per gallon the previous year, posing risks to the coal, forestry, and natural gas industries.

Entities

Donald Trump · Jonathan Shell · Andy Beshear · Greg Abbott · Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    West Virginia declares emergency to allow red diesel use

    West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a 60-day state of emergency allowing commercial vehicles to use cheaper red-dyed diesel on highways to offset rising fuel costs.

  2. [POLITICS] 8 sources
    Kentucky Governor allows dyed diesel on roads to lower fuel costs

    Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency allowing farmers and truckers to use dyed diesel on public roads to mitigate rising fuel costs linked to the war in Iran.

  3. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Arkansas and Texas declare emergencies over diesel fuel costs

    Arkansas and Texas have declared emergencies to allow the use of dyed diesel in highway vehicles, aiming to mitigate rising fuel costs and shortages affecting agriculture and transportation.

Sources

amnews.com · brownfieldagnews.com · dailycallernewsfoundation.org · dominionpost.com · globalnews.ca · harlanenterprise.net · heartlandernews.com · jessaminejournal.com · justthenews.com · kvom.com · middlesboronews.com · newstalkkzrg.com · offthepress.com · responsiblestatecraft.org · thealpenanews.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history