US states take steps to curb diesel and gasoline prices
USO•US states have waived fuel taxes, eased rules on dyed diesel and fuel blends, and relaxed vehicle weight restrictions as diesel reached a record $6.53 a gallon a week ago.
1. State measures
States have adopted measures aimed at curbing diesel and gasoline prices. Georgia suspended gasoline and diesel taxes for 30 days and eased commercial vehicle weight restrictions; California suspended its summer-blend gasoline requirement for the rest of the season; and Alabama paused enforcement of restrictions on red-dyed diesel for 120 days.
2. More relief steps
Other actions include Indiana suspending its gasoline sales tax, Kentucky reducing its gasoline tax by 10 cents in May, and Oklahoma pausing enforcement of taxes, regulations and fines on red-dyed diesel use for 120 days. Texas said it would expand dyed diesel use on roads, raise allowable weights for some vehicles and suspend state low-emission diesel fuel regulations. Massachusetts' governor plans to file legislation for a two-month suspension of the state's 24-cent-per-gallon gasoline and diesel tax.
3. Fuel price context
Diesel reached a record $6.53 a gallon a week ago, according to AAA data. The article cites supply disruptions stemming from the US war on Iran, Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and dwindling global inventories.
