Texas governor declares emergency over high fuel prices

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a statewide disaster in response to high fuel prices, allowing the expanded use of tax-exempt dyed diesel on public roads, increasing weight limits for certain freight loads and seeking temporary relief from some diesel emissions requirements.

Dyed diesel is normally used for off-road agricultural and construction equipment and is exempt from motor-fuel taxes, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Washington Post.

Under Abbott’s proclamation, restrictions on its use on Texas roads have been suspended. The order does not waive the underlying fuel tax.

The proclamation also allows fuel, agricultural and timber loads to be transported at a gross weight of up to 95,000 pounds and suspends certain state permitting requirements for oversized and overweight loads. Abbott has separately asked the US Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily waive federal ultra-low-sulphur diesel requirements.

AAA data showed Texas’ average diesel price at $5.86 per gallon on September 28, compared with $5.97 a week earlier and $5.22 a month earlier.

“Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel. Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family,” Abbott said. “<…> These steps cut costs on the farm, on the road, and at the store.”

Abbott’s order does not suspend the 20-cent-per-gallon state fuel tax, which Democrats have called on him to waive.

The measures come as Abbott seeks re-election and faces Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa.

Over the weekend, Democratic state Representative James Talarico urged his Republican opponent in the US Senate race, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, to support suspending federal fuel taxes. Paxton said he supports eliminating federal fuel taxes.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov