Gov. Jay Robert ‘JB’ Pritzker (D-IL) on Tuesday signed an executive order directing state agencies to provide penalty relief for qualifying agricultural use of red-dyed diesel on highways and state roads through the end of 2026, following President Donald Trump’s federal order the previous day.
JB Pritzker Slams Trump Over Iran War
“Diesel costs are up 68% since Trump’s war of choice in Iran began,” Pritzker said in a post on the social media platform X, criticizing Trump over escalating tensions with Iran.
“I’ve signed an Executive Order to lower fuel prices for farmers during the fall harvest by allowing them to use dyed diesel in ag vehicles beyond the farm,” adding that the administration wanted farmers to “compete and make a living.”
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA) data, the national average price of diesel on Thursday was $6.2847/gallon. In California, diesel was priced at $8.3483/gallon on Thursday.
GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan Weighs in
GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan chimed in on Pritzker’s decision, saying that the order “won’t do a whole lot given limited availability of dyed diesel.” He also pointed to complex rules on the use of red-dyed diesel across state lines, as “anyone crossing state boundaries” could face complications, but it was “worth mentioning,” De Haan said.
Trump, following the order, said that move would result in savings up to $100 per fill-up for consumers who opt to use the fuel.
Red-dyed diesel is generally the same fuel as highway diesel but is dyed to identify it as fuel intended for tax-exempt off-road use. The Trump order provides temporary federal penalty and tax-payment relief, while states must separately determine how to handle their own taxes and enforcement.
Notably, Trump’s decision to release red-dyed diesel was backed by Vice President JD Vance, who hailed the former’s quick decision to deter high prices amid uncertainty over oil movement due to the Iran war, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump had earlier also mulled imposing a ban on diesel exports, before dismissing talks of such a move.
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