Both houses of the General Assembly will reconvene Wednesday to discuss possible changes to the gas tax and other ways to lower fuel costs.
Sources say among the possible solutions being considered for discussion are permanent changes to the dyed diesel fuel requirements. Gov. Josh Stein last week ordered a suspension of penalties for use of undyed, “off-road” diesel in an attempt to reduce costs for farmers. Federal rules still apply, but Stein has requested a waiver from the Internal Revenue Service.
House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate President Phil Berger announced this weekend that the legislature will return in hopes of finding ways to ease skyrocketing fuel costs across the state. North Carolina averages around No. 11 nationally for fuel taxes, running 40 to 41 cents per gallon. Unlike some states, North Carolina’s Dept. of Transportation relies primarily on fuel taxes for revenues for everything from new projects to employee salaries.
Red dyed diesel is required for operating over the road vehicles such as commercial trucks and diesel-powered private vehicles. Dyed diesel hit $6.25 a gallon last week, double the price of a gallon from last year.
Decreased stores of diesel, the drought, crop losses, and the ongoing wars with Iran and in the Ukraine have caused diesel demand and prices to increase.
