West Virginia Declares 60-Day Emergency: Trucks Allowed to Use Tax-Free Red Diesel on Highways
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on October 20 a 60-day state of emergency covering all 55 counties, temporarily suspending penalties for using red-dyed diesel fuel on public highways. Red diesel is normally reserved for off-road equipment such as tractors and construction machinery and is cheaper than regular highway diesel because of its different tax treatment.
The state estimates the move will save drivers 20.5 cents per gallon — about $41 on a 200-gallon fill-up. The action echoes President Trump's October 5 executive order allowing a temporary federal waiver.
In a statement, Morrisey said: "Transportation costs affect the prices we pay at the grocery store and throughout our economy. Today, we're giving businesses and citizens an opportunity to lower those costs, so that savings will benefit West Virginia families." According to AAA data cited by the governor's office, diesel prices in West Virginia reached $6.34 per gallon that day, compared with $3.57 a year earlier.
The state warned that soaring fuel costs threaten essential deliveries, agriculture and emergency services, with coal, natural gas and forestry operations especially vulnerable. Fuel distributors and truck stops had previously hesitated to sell red diesel over fears they would be stuck with deferred federal fuel taxes.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于查尔斯顿的西弗吉尼亚州议会大厦。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons / Photo: The West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston. Source: Wikimedia Commons
- 2026-10-05Trump Signs Order Easing Diesel Restrictions to Cut Fuel Costs
- 2026-10-09Idaho Governor Signs Order Pausing Dyed-Diesel Enforcement Checks for 30 Days During Fall Harvest
- 2026-10-09Missouri Executive Order 26-20 Allows Dyed Diesel on State Highways Through End of 2026
- 2026-10-10Nebraska Governor Thanks President for Diesel Order to Help Harvest
- 2026-10-11South Dakota Red Diesel Dispute Escalates: Farmers Union Calls Special Session to Put Tax Relief Into Law
- 2026-10-16IRS Suspends Federal Penalties for Highway Use of Dyed Diesel Through Year-End, Retroactive to October 1
- 2026-10-21West Virginia Declares 60-Day Emergency: Trucks Allowed to Use Tax-Free Red Diesel on HighwaysThis story
- 2026-10-21Follow-Up: West Virginia Tax Division Suspends Dyed Diesel Highway Enforcement for 60 Days
