Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a 60-day state of emergency across all 55 West Virginia counties to provide some relief for soaring fuel expenses.
Through a newly signed executive order, the state will temporarily permit the highway use of red-dyed diesel, which is typically reserved for off-road machinery and lacks certain taxes.
The administration says the initiative cuts about 20.5 cents a gallon from current prices, offering substantial financial relief for local drivers and commercial enterprises alike.
The administration aims to stabilize transportation and supply chain expenses for vital local sectors like agriculture, forestry and energy production.
Governor Patrick Morrisey today declared a 60-day state of emergency across all 55 West Virginia counties and signed an executive order to provide temporary relief for the use of red-dyed diesel fuel. The action will save businesses and drivers 20.5 cents per gallon, helping lower transportation costs that affect the prices West Virginia families pay for everyday goods.
https://t.co/QmsTQLTvy6
— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) October 20, 2026
“Whether it’s buying groceries, paying utility bills, or covering household expenses, we know that every dollar matters, and one of the things that affects the prices we pay every day is the cost of getting goods from where they’re made to where they’re sold,” Morrisey said in the announcement.
“When it costs more to move food, building materials, and other everyday goods, these costs can eventually show up in the prices families pay, and right now high diesel prices are making things more expensive. According to AAA, the average price of diesel in West Virginia has now reached $6.34 per gallon.”
HOPPY KERCHEVAL: High Diesel Prices Are Everyone’s Problem
Ongoing conflicts, including the U.S. war in Iran and Russia’s war in Ukraine, have severely disrupted the flow of crude oil and refined products.
Refineries in the U.S. and globally are operating near maximum capacity, over 95%, leaving little room to boost output or quickly recover from unexpected plant outages or maintenance.
On Oct. 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing for red-dyed diesel to be used for highway vehicles and deferred the federal excise tax on diesel through the end of the year.
Other states like North Carolina and neighboring Virginia have already authorized the temporary use of dyed diesel fuel in on-road vehicles.
West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack, a Republican considered a potential challenger to Morrisey, earlier today called for easing the restrictions on dyed diesel fuel.
“Our farmers, loggers and timber haulers are facing extraordinary challenges in operating costs, and we must act now to provide meaningful relief. These businesses are essential to West Virginia’s economy. We cannot afford to leave them behind.”
Morrisey’s order temporarily suspends penalties tied to using red-dyed diesel on highways. Also, state agencies have been directed to stop fuel inspections aimed specifically at detecting the highway use of red-dyed diesel.
West Virginia’s construction industry understands firsthand the impact rising diesel fuel prices have on businesses and consumers, said Jason Pizatella, chief executive officer of the Contractors Association of West Virginia.
“We appreciate Governor Morrisey’s efforts to provide temporary relief from rising fuel costs. We also commend the governor for taking a measured approach by temporarily suspending enforcement of certain penalties associated with the use of off-road diesel fuel rather than suspending the motor fuel excise tax itself,” Pizatella said.
“This distinction is important because motor fuel tax revenues are essential to the State Road Fund and continued investment in West Virginia’s transportation infrastructure.”
Democrats in the state Legislature have been among those calling for a break in fuel taxes.
House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle said the governor’s announcement about flexibility for diesel fuel should be just the beginning.
“While that’s a start, with all due respect the Governor needs to call us back in — like myself and the rest of the House Democrats have been requesting since April,” Hornbuckle said.
This doesn’t help the average West Virginian that uses regular gasoline to get to work, the doctor, or their kid’s events.”