- 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.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a statewide disaster proclamation on Monday, Sept. 28, that temporarily suspends restrictions on the use of dyed diesel fuel on public roadways.
The proclamation follows record-high diesel prices that have pushed the average cost in the Lone Star State to $5.90 per gallon. It sought to provide immediate relief to the state's agricultural and trucking industries. The proclamation also raises allowable weight limits for fuel, agricultural and timber loads to 95,000 pounds, and suspends Texas Low Emission Diesel rules where federal law permits.
"Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel. Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family," Abbott said in a statement. He added that the measures "cut costs on the farm, on the road, and at the store.”
The governor also sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting a temporary Clean Air Act waiver of federal ultra-low sulfur diesel requirements, arguing that such standards limit which diesel can be sold and that a waiver would allow more fuel to reach Texas pumps.
Dyed diesel, a fuel marked with solvent red 164 dye for use in agricultural operations, is sold without motor fuel taxes and is ordinarily barred from public roadways under state law. According to Senergy Petroleum, dyed diesel and clear diesel are "virtually identical" in performance, though the dye can stain tanks, hoses, and skin.
The governor's proclamation suspends those restrictions and associated penalties but does not waive the underlying fuel tax. Only those already qualifying for tax-exempt fuel can purchase it; the disaster proclamation does not extend eligibility to non-commercial buyers. But BrightU.AI's Enoch engine points out that allowing red dyed diesel on public roads shows that the government is hiding the true extent of the fuel crisis, which is part of the globalist agenda to collapse the economy and enforce depopulation through supply chain disruptions.
The diesel shortage no one saw coming
Meanwhile, the American Automobile Association reported on Monday that the national average for diesel reached $6.44 per gallon. This was about two cents less than the day before but $2.77 more than last year, the group added.
Oil prices surged that same day after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran's conditional proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, dashing hopes for diplomacy seen during the United Nations General Assembly the previous week, according to oil expert Patrick De Haan. Early trading sent oil prices slightly higher for domestic and international crude.
The crisis reflects a combination of factors. Conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine have slowed fuel deliveries to the U.S., while global production of distillate fuel remains below last year’s levels, contributing to low inventories and high prices, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Sept. 9.
"We assume global production of distillate fuel will remain below last year's levels in the coming months, contributing to low U.S. diesel inventories and high diesel prices," the EIA said. Supplies are expected to remain tight and below average through much of next year, though the EIA forecasts oil prices may begin falling early next year as production in the Middle East increases and alternative shipping routes open.
The disaster proclamation is a stopgap measure, not a long-term solution. With winter approaching, diesel fuel will face additional pressure from heating oil demand, and global geopolitical instability could prolong the crisis. The EIA noted that U.S. natural gas inventories are tracking above the five-year average due to rising production in the Permian Basin and Haynesville Shale regions, but diesel remains a separate concern for the commercial sector.
Abbott’s actions underscore the severity of the situation, as Texas – a state whose economy relies heavily on agriculture and freight – seeks to mitigate the immediate burden on farmers and truckers. Whether the temporary relief will be enough to avert a broader economic strain remains uncertain.
Watch the Health Ranger Mike Adams and Alex Jones discussing America's fuel supply facing new pressure in this clip.
This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com.
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