A state of emergency has been declared in Texas due to the rising cost of diesel — the price has nearly doubled. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in the state due to record diesel prices: since early February, the price per gallon has risen from $3.30 to $5.86. The order temporarily allows dyed diesel, usually intended for off-road vehicles, to be used in trucks and tractors on public roads, and raises the allowable weight of transported cargo to 43 tons. Abbott has suspended state environmental regulations and requested the EPA to relax federal standards to allow more fuel to reach gas stations. Many doubt the effectiveness of Abbott's measures: farmers have previously been able to purchase dyed diesel without road taxes, so the order will not bring significant relief, RTVI US reports. Meanwhile, the White House is discussing restrictions on the export of American diesel, but analysts at Goldman Sachs warn that such a measure would hurt the profitability of refineries and could ultimately raise gasoline prices as well.
