(The Center Square) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered expanded access to the tax-exempt, dyed diesel fuel typically used to power heavy agricultural and construction equipment operated off public roads.
At a campaign rally Monday night in Grand Island, Nebraska, the president directed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to "ensure farmers' access to dyed diesel in high-demand areas." Trump also instructed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to work with states, labor organizations and fuel distributors to increase access to dyed diesel, which is typically colored red.
Trump’s order temporarily waives tax penalties on using dyed diesel on public highways, which normally start at a minimum of $1,000, until Dec. 31. Under the president’s directive, the Internal Revenue Service will also waive through Dec. 31 the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal excise tax charged on purchases of on-highway diesel fuel, which is undyed.
Signing the executive order on stage at the campaign rally alongside Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, Trump said expanding the supply of diesel fuel will help to control inflation.
The average U.S. price on Monday for a gallon of on-highway diesel fuel was $6.32, down from a record-high $6.53 on Sept. 21. Global oil market disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine and U.S.-Iran conflicts and low domestic inventories have led to a near doubling of diesel fuel prices along U.S. highways.
“The typical trucker will save more than $100 every time they fill up," Trump told the crowd. The president said the waiver will "save farmers millions of dollars and drive down the cost of goods."
Ricketts and the governors of nine other states – Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas – ordered the temporary suspension of state-level penalties for the use of dyed diesel before the president's directive.
The governors of Iowa, South Dakota and Tennessee issued orders Tuesday that suspend penalties for use of the dyed fuel on state highways.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week declared a statewide fuel emergency as he ordered a temporary suspension of penalties on farmers and all commercial motor vehicles using tax-exempt, off-road fuel on public highways.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was the first state executive to declare a fuel emergency. On Sept. 22, the Louisiana governor suspended restrictions on use of dyed diesel by farmers and loggers in his state.
“I declared a State of Emergency so our farmers could use the dyed diesel fuel they already had on hand—and now, thanks to YOU, that relief is going nationwide! This is a HUGE WIN for America's farmers, truckers, and hardworking families,” Landry posted on Monday on social media site X.
HELENA, Mont. - Things are relatively quiet here in the east wing of the Montana State Capitol, with Gov. Greg Gianforte overseas on a trade and diplomatic mission to India. The governor has touted it as an emerging market and says strengthening partnerships could benefit the state. However, the mission has been polarizing and has drawn criticism from some, including in the conservative base.
(The Center Square) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has purchased more California properties for the purpose of using them as detention centers.
(The Center Square) – Despite global challenges including ongoing wars and trade tensions putting upward pressure on prices, the U.S. economy is expected to remain fairly resilient in the year ahead, according to Harvard University economics professor Karen Dynan.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Post a comment as Guest
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.