Emergency Alert · Texas · Published September 29, 2026, 5:55 PM CDT
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statewide disaster proclamation to allow expanded use of dyed diesel on Texas roads.[1]
The proclamation also raises the allowable weight for fuel, agricultural, and timber loads, and suspends Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) rules to the extent the EPA authorizes.
The Governor also requested that the EPA waive federal ultra-low sulfur diesel requirements.
“Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” said Governor Abbott.
“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.
Key Facts
- Where: Texas
- Type: Fuel prices and supply
- Official source: Office of the Texas Governor (.gov)
- Outlets reporting: 10
Video: CBS TEXAS, September 29, 2026 — “Gov. Abbott declares diesel disaster”. Matched to this story by shared names and terms in its title; watch the original for full context.
What the Declaration Does
In the words of the official announcement:
- The Governor’s proclamation suspends state restrictions and associated penalties so operators can use such fuel on Texas roads.[1]
- It does not waive the underlying fuel tax.[1]
- 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.[1]
- 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.[1]
- Those standards limit which diesel can be sold, and a waiver would allow more fuel to reach Texas pumps.[1]
“Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” said Governor Abbott.[1]
Where It Applies
What National Security Journal Reports
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a 30-day statewide disaster declaration amid rising diesel prices in the Lone Star State.[2]
Diesel prices across the country have reached record highs in recent weeks, largely due to Iran’s ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and repeated attacks on oil refineries in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.[2]
How 10 Outlets Are Reporting It
- Texas Governor Declares Disaster, Seeks EPA Waiver to Expand Diesel Supply (mb.ntd.com)
- Texas Declares Statewide Disaster to Combat Record Diesel Prices (thedrive.com)
- Texas Just Got Handed a Statewide Disaster Declaration, and the Emergency This Time Is the Price of Diesel Fuel Due to Iran War (National Security Journal)
- Texas diesel hits record $5.97 as Abbott disaster declaration rattles VLO, PSX pre-market (Investing.com)
- Texas Governor Declares State Of Emergency As Diesel Price Hits Record $5.86 A Gallon, Up From $3.30 In February. The Declaration Suspends Emissions Rules, Raises Truck Weight Limits, And Expands Use Of Tax-Exempt Dyed Diesel On Texas Roads (AOL.com)
- Texas Governor Declares State Of Emergency As Diesel Price Hits Record $5.86 A Gallon, Up From $3.30 In February. The Declaration Suspends Emissions Rules, Raises Truck Weight Limits, And Expands Use Of Tax-Exempt Dyed Diesel On Texas Roads (24/7 Wall St.)
- Texas governor declares a statewide disaster over soaring diesel prices (Baltimore Sun)
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issues disaster proclamation for record-high diesel prices (KVUE)
- Texas declares emergency over soaring diesel prices, lifts restrictions on off-road dyed fuel (streamlinefeed.co.ke)
- Texas governor declares emergency to bring down fuel prices (The Washington Post)
If You Live There
For orders that change, check the official source linked above; declarations are often extended or ended early.
References
- Office of the Texas Governor (.gov). Governor Abbott Waives Dyed-Diesel Restrictions.
- National Security Journal. Texas Just Got Handed a Statewide Disaster Declaration, and the Emergency This Time Is the Price of Diesel Fuel Due to Iran War.
Investigative methodology: this alert was selected because 10 news organizations reported the same declaration, and it was confirmed against the government’s own announcement. Quoted text is verbatim from the cited sources. Produced by scripts/emergency_alert_scanner.py, not a language model.
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