Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide emergency on Monday in response to rising fuel costs, implementing measures aimed at easing the financial burden on key industries and consumers. The declaration permits broader use of dyed diesel fuel, temporarily increases the allowable weight limits for certain truckloads, and suspends select federal diesel-emission regulations.

Dyed diesel, which is exempt from federal and state taxes and usually reserved for off-road equipment such as farm and construction machinery, will now see expanded usage under the emergency order. According to AAA, the average price of diesel in Texas currently stands at $5.86 per gallon.

“Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel. Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family,” Abbott said in a statement. He added that the emergency steps are intended to reduce expenses across farms, transportation networks, and retail sectors.

Despite these measures, the underlying 20-cent-per-gallon fuel tax remains in effect, a point criticized by Democrats who have called for its suspension to provide further relief.

Governor Abbott is facing a competitive reelection campaign against Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa. The issue of fuel pricing has become politically charged in the state, with other elected officials weighing in on potential solutions.

Over the weekend, Democratic state Representative James Talarico pressed his Republican contender for the U.S. Senate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, to support suspending federal gas taxes as a means to combat high fuel prices. Paxton responded by expressing his interest in eliminating federal gas taxes outright.

At present, higher fuel costs continue to be a concern statewide, impacting multiple sectors and adding pressure on political figures to find immediate relief measures. Governor Abbott’s emergency declaration represents the latest effort by Texas officials to address these economic challenges amid a volatile market.