States are taking steps to ease the burden of high gasoline and diesel prices as President Donald Trump said Monday that fuel prices will fall once the Iran war is over. Drivers nationwide are continuing to feel the pain at the pump, paying an average of $4.48 a gallon for regular gas and $6.45 for diesel, according to AAA. California, where regular gas averages $6.37 a gallon and diesel $8.40, and Georgia both announced new measures Monday to lower costs as several other states have taken additional steps to ease the cost of diesel.
California Governor Gavin Newsom suspended the state's seasonal summer-blend gasoline requirement for the remainder of the season, allowing winter-blend gasoline to be produced and sold immediately. The summer blend—more environmentally friendly and more expensive—would otherwise have been in place until October 31. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and suspended the state's motor-fuel tax for 30 days.
The suspension eliminates the state's 33.3-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and 37.3-cent tax on diesel. The order also suspends commercial vehicle weight limits to help lower transportation costs that can drive up prices for everyday goods, including groceries. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is pursuing similar relief, and announced plans on September 22 to file legislation that would temporarily suspend Massachusetts’ gas tax for two months.
The proposal needs legislative approval. Meanwhile, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Nebraska have also temporarily relaxed restrictions or penalties involving tax-exempt dyed diesel, which is normally reserved for off-road uses such as farming. South Dakota has also eased hauling restrictions for farmers during harvest, allowing them to carry agricultural commodities at 10 percent above normal weight limits.
Several other states have also taken steps in recent months to ease costs, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Utah, which have cut or frozen gas taxes. AAA said the month is on track to set a new September record. The Trump administration is considering a temporary ban on U.S. diesel exports to bring costs down for drivers.
Last week, Trump and Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is exploring whether a partial or full restriction would be feasible, saying a decision was expected soon. As the world’s top diesel exporter, the U.S. supplies roughly 20 percent of global demand. Mark Williams, master finance lecturer at Boston University's Questrom School of Business, previously told Newsweek that restricting those exports could disrupt global energy markets and potentially raise costs for U.S. consumers.
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