Farm and freight operators around Howe can legally fuel road vehicles with red-dyed diesel for now. A statewide disaster proclamation Gov. Greg Abbott issued Sept. 28 suspends the state rules and penalties that normally keep the untaxed, off-road fuel off public highways.
The order does not cancel the fuel tax, Abbott's office said. It also waives overweight permits for trucks carrying fuel, crops or timber, allowing up to 95,000 pounds. Abbott has asked the EPA to relax diesel standards as well.
Grayson County Commissioner Josh Marr told KTEN that the change should help consumers indirectly by easing shipping costs. He said heavier loads could cause a bit more damage to county roads but called that manageable. State law caps a governor's disaster declaration at 30 days unless he renews it.
