Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recently declared a state of emergency, giving farmers and truckers the green light to use untaxed diesel fuel on public roadways while the ongoing war in Iran strains fuel prices.
This decision follows an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at lowering diesel fuel costs.
The Kentucky order allows commercial haulers and agricultural workers to legally use untaxed, red-dyed diesel fuel on public roads, delivering helpful savings right at the pump during a demanding time of year.
“We can see a step in the right direction,” said Ben Pasley, CEO of Mt. Folly Enterprises in Clark County and chief farmer of Regeneration Distilling.
“I think it’s Governor Beshear taking the reality and saying, ‘What can I do about it?’” Pasley said.
For Pasley, this fueling relief arrives right in the middle of harvest season, when his business runs multiple transport trucks across the roadways.
“This is the most stressful time of year for our farming families,” Pasley said.
These fuel savings offer a massive break for agricultural producers who depend on semi-trucks to haul farm commodities to market.
“When those trucks fill up, they’ll be able to save 51 cents a gallon with the excess tax,” Pasley said.
The state has also intervened to steady Kentucky’s broader vehicle fuel prices. Beshear signed an emergency regulation in May to freeze the gasoline tax at 26.4 cents per gallon, stopping an expected July 1 price hike to 27 cents per gallon.
Capping the current fuel rate is projected to save Kentuckians roughly $1.7 million combined each month when fueling up their vehicles.
“We’re just grateful,” Pasley said. “We’re at least gonna get some short-term relief.”
Beshear’s state of emergency will remain active until the war in Iran concludes or the calendar year ends, whichever milestone comes first.