Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) declared a statewide diesel emergency Monday, easing state restrictions on off-road fuel use on public highways and allowing heavier shipments of fuel, agricultural products and timber.<\/p>\n
The proclamation<\/a> covers all 254 Texas counties. Abbott cited rising fuel costs and supply disruptions as threats to the state\u2019s farmers, truckers and consumers.<\/p>\n Higher diesel costs were already squeezing Dallas truckers\u2019 earnings earlier this month, as previously reported<\/a> by The Dallas Express.<\/p>\n Proclamation targets rising diesel costs<\/p>\n Dyed diesel contains red dye and typically fuels off-road equipment, including farm machinery. Sellers generally offer it without the state motor-fuels tax, and Texas normally prohibits its use on public roads.<\/p>\n Abbott suspended state restrictions and associated penalties to expand its use on Texas roads. The proclamation does not waive the underlying fuel tax, his office<\/a> said.<\/p>\n \u201cTexas agriculture and freight run on diesel,\u201d Abbott said in the announcement. \u201cRecord prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family.\u201d<\/p>\n The governor said the changes aim to lower costs for agricultural and freight operations.<\/p>\n Higher weight limits for certain loads<\/p>\n The order suspends specified state oversize and overweight permitting requirements for vehicles carrying fuel, agricultural products or timber, allowing gross vehicle weights of up to 95,000 pounds.<\/p>\n Drivers must still obey bridge weight limits and other applicable transport restrictions, including any restrictions the governor\u2019s office imposes.<\/p>\n Abbott requests federal diesel waiver<\/p>\n