West Virginia Suspends Red-Dye Diesel Penalties for 60 Days
Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency across all 55 West Virginia counties on October 20 and signed an executive order giving temporary relief for red-dyed diesel fuel use on highways. The order suspends penalties tied to red-dye diesel and directs state agencies to stop fuel inspections aimed specifically at detecting it. Red-dyed diesel is normally restricted to off-road equipment and is generally cheaper than highway diesel.
The governor's office said the move saves 20.5 cents per gallon, or about $41 on a 200-gallon fill-up. The declaration cites AAA data showing West Virginia diesel averaged $6.34 per gallon on October 20, up from $3.57 a year earlier. Morrisey's order follows an October 5 federal executive order from President Trump providing similar relief for highway use of red-dyed diesel.
The press release notes West Virginia's motor fuel excise tax and commercial vehicle safety inspections remain in effect — only the red-dye penalty and related inspections are suspended. The relief targets trucking, coal, natural gas, agriculture and forestry operations that rely on diesel-powered equipment.
What's next
- The state of emergency runs 60 days from October 20, 2026, unless ended earlier.
- Watch for similar executive actions in other states following the federal October 5 order.
All sources
- Governor Morrisey Declares State of Emergency to Provide Diesel Fuel Relief for West Virginia Families — Government site: WV Office of the Governor (.gov), 2026-10-20
