Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation to “help lower costs for Texas farmers, truckers, & families by expanding access to dyed diesel and increasing allowable weights for fuel, agricultural, & timber loads.”
“Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” Abbott said.
“Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family. Farmers and truckers can now use dyed diesel on Texas roads, and fuel, crop, and timber loads can move at a higher weight. These steps cut costs on the farm, on the road, and at the store,” he continued.
“Dyed diesel is off-road fuel marked red, typically used in agricultural operations, and sold without a motor-fuels tax. Because it is untaxed, state law ordinarily bars its use on public roadways. The Governor’s proclamation suspends state restrictions and associated penalties so operators can use such fuel on Texas roads. It does not waive the underlying fuel tax,” a press release from Abbott’s office read.
“The proclamation also suspends state oversize and overweight permitting requirements for vehicles loaded with fuel, agricultural, or timber products and allows those loads at a gross weight of up to 95,000 pounds. Governor Abbott asked EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for a temporary Clean Air Act waiver of federal ultra-low sulfur diesel rules and the TxLED rules that apply in 110 Texas counties. Those standards limit which diesel can be sold, and a waiver would allow more fuel to reach Texas pumps,” it continued.
Gov. Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation to help lower costs for Texas farmers, truckers, & families by expanding access to dyed diesel and increasing allowable weights for fuel, agricultural, & timber loads.
Texas is taking action to keep goods moving & costs down. pic.twitter.com/7oq5KYVzIR
— Governor Abbott Press Office (@GovAbbottPress) September 28, 2026
KVUE shared further:
Many Texans have struggled to fill up their gas tanks with the higher prices, as the war with Iran has dragged on with no end in sight. Higher diesel costs for farmers and those in shipping and trucking have been passed on to consumers as higher prices for goods in stores.
Roughly 85% to 87% of communities in Texas rely on trucking exclusively for all their freight.
“A year ago today, we were paying about $3 less, in many instances, less than half of what the cost of diesel is here today. And when diesel fluctuates like it has – in the last several weeks, we’ve been hitting new records for the price of diesel, and that has an impact on the price of goods,” Texas Trucking Association President John Esparza said. “Primarily, it has an impact on the industry, made up of mostly small companies who are trying to effectively absorb that price on the front end because it takes some time to get through the market and see the recovery costs on the price of goods on the back end.”
On Monday, Georgia’s governor declared a state of emergency, suspended the state gas tax and removed weight limits on commercial vehicles.
Retail diesel prices in Texas reportedly hit a record high of $5.97 per gallon in September 2026.
Gov. @GregAbbott_TX has declared a statewide diesel emergency, temporarily easing restrictions on dyed diesel use and allowing heavier shipments of fuel, agricultural products and timber.
The move comes as Texas diesel prices reached a record $5.97 per gallon in September. pic.twitter.com/DbxCBMYv3R
— The Dallas Express News (@DallasExpress) September 28, 2026
More from The Texas Tribune:
Removing restrictions on the use of dyed diesel could reduce prices by increasing the supply of diesel available for everyday use.
Abbott’s order does not waive the underlying fuel tax, which is a flat 20 center per gallon on both gasoline and undyed diesel.
The governor’s disaster declaration and order comes as AAA reports an average diesel price of $5.86 per gallon in Texas.
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