{
  "id": 9895895,
  "title": "White House mulls range of options to lower diesel costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/white-house-mulls-range-of-options-to-lower-diesel-costs",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-26T02:41:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/26/white-house-mulls-range-of-options-to-lower-diesel-costs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US diesel prices have remained around US$6.50 per gallon, significantly higher than the pre-war sub-US$4 level. The Trump administration is exploring various options to alleviate the soaring costs, including suspending taxes and relaxing restrictions on the sale of dyed diesel fuel intended for off-road use. Discussions on potential strategies are ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent among those involved. Dyed diesel, or \"red diesel,\" is typically used by farmers and other off-road consumers and is tax-exempt, helping to keep prices lower for that market. However, this fuel cannot be used on US highways, which explains its separate pricing. Global diesel markets have become uncertain following US President Donald Trump's support for curbing American diesel exports. The administration is considering a short-term ban on exports, but energy officials are also working with refiners to voluntarily limit shipments as an alternative. The idea of temporarily suspending the federal diesel excise tax has gained support from oil CEOs and industry stakeholders, as it could provide immediate relief for consumers ahead of the midterm elections. However, debate continues within the administration about waiving the tax, particularly with the House of Representatives on a pre-election recess. Some refiners are adding contractual protections to their export contracts in anticipation of a potential export ban. Another suggestion to waive or reduce biofuel-blending quotas has been largely rejected, as these quotas are politically significant in America's agricultural heartland. In response to the high prices, several Republican governors in agricultural states have taken action by waiving restrictions on diesel fuel use for the harvest season. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency and rescinded penalties for off-road diesel use through late October, while Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen have also taken similar measures. Off-road diesel is chemically identical to regular diesel but is exempt from taxes and dyed red to prevent on-road use. With the federal tax on diesel at about 24 cents per gallon and average state taxes adding another 36 cents, waiving restrictions on off-road diesel sales could lower prices for farmers, but it would still not reach the sub-US$4 level seen before the US and Israel launched the war in Iran.",
  "summary": "Measures include suspending fuel taxes and removing restrictions on sales of a dyed red variety normally used by farmers or for off-road use.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "White House defends pro-Trump TV ads timed with midterms: 'Patriotism isn’t partisan'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/white-house-defends-pro-trump-tv-ads-timed-with-midterms-patriotism",
        "published": "2026-09-25T22:31:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "White House mulls range of options to lower diesel costs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/white-house-mulls-range-of-options-to-lower-diesel-costs-9897394",
        "published": "2026-09-26T02:41:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}