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- Commissioner of Public Safety Sean Tindell has directed his agency not to enforce the dyed diesel prohibition on highways. “Thanks to this executive order and Commissioner Tindell’s swift action, much-needed relief will be delivered to our nation’s farmers, truckers, ranchers and loggers,” Governor Tate Reeves said.
President Donald Trump (R) signed an executive order Monday at an election rally in Nebraska that will allow red-dyed diesel, typically reserved for off road and agriculture equipment, to be used on the road for the remainder of the year.
“Tonight, I am going to sign a historic executive order to officially waive the off-road requirement and allow anyone to purchase tax-free red-dye diesel for any reason,” said Trump before he signed the order.
The President’s order, which directs cabinet officials to “explore avenues” eliminate the obligation to pay the amounts deferred, says farmers and truckers are essential to the American way of life.
“Restricted global diesel supply has led to rising prices, and these key industries have been particularly hard hit,” Trump’s order reads. “While my Administration has already undertaken historic efforts to ensure fuel affordability for our citizens, it is clear that further temporary relief is necessary… This targeted action will put money directly in the pocket of American farmers, truckers, and workers, to support their vital service to our Nation.”
Notably, red-dyed diesel is chemically no different from regular diesel but the dyed diesel is exempt from the 24.4 cent per gallon federal highway tax.
The order comes as U.S. diesel prices have surged over $6.00 per gallon across the U.S. Governors and lawmakers across the nation have publicly explored ways to reduce the burden on the trucking and agriculture industries, with some states providing a temporary suspension in their fuel taxes.
Trump’s order directs the Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to further engage with states to advance the policies of the order, “taking appropriate action to encourage states to adopt policies that correspond” with the Secretary of the Treasury’s exercise of authority.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves shared the news on his social media, saying, “For more than a week, we have been in close contact with the White House to find ways to help lower the price of diesel.”
“Thanks to those conversations and the work of my fellow Republican governors, President Trump has announced he is signing an executive order that will defer the federal excise tax on dyed diesel and allow for highway use,” Reeves said.
The governor further said that he has spoken with Commissioner of Public Safety Sean Tindell, noting that the commissioner “plans to direct the Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to not enforce the dyed diesel prohibition on highways.”
“Thanks to this executive order and Commissioner Tindell’s swift action, much-needed relief will be delivered to our nation’s farmers, truckers, ranchers and loggers, as well as a wide range of other industries that rely on diesel,” Reeves wrote. “This will have positive ripple effects on America’s economy and your wallet. I’d like to thank President Trump and his administration for working quickly to provide this relief.”
The governor added that Mississippi looks forward to working with the U.S. Department of Transportation to implement the President’s directives and executive order.
“We’ll continue to explore legal and fiscally responsible ways to help further drive down fuel prices,” Reeves said.
According to AAA, the average cost for diesel in Mississippi Tuesday morning was $5.90 per gallon. California had the highest diesel prices at an average of $8.36 per gallon. The lowest prices were in Texas at $5.74 per gallon.
