Texas Gov. Abbott declares disaster to ease diesel crunch, allowing dyed fuel on roads
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation on Sept. 28, temporarily suspending restrictions on dyed diesel fuel use on public roadways to address record-high diesel prices averaging $5.90 per gallon.
The proclamation provides immediate relief to agricultural and trucking industries by raising allowable weight limits for fuel, agricultural and timber loads to 95,000 pounds and suspending Texas Low Emission Diesel rules where federal law permits.
Abbott also requested a temporary Clean Air Act waiver from the EPA to allow more fuel to reach Texas pumps, arguing that federal ultra-low sulfur diesel standards limit diesel availability.
Dyed diesel, normally barred from public roads due to being tax-exempt and sold only for agricultural use, is allowed under the proclamation without penalties – but eligibility remains limited to those already qualifying for tax-exempt fuel.
The crisis stems from factors like Middle East conflicts, the Russia-Ukraine war and low global distillate fuel production, with the EIA warning that low diesel inventories and high prices may persist through much of next year.
Read Full Article: https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-10-02-abbott-declares-disaster-to-ease-texas-diesel-crunch.html
