The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday it will revisit air-quality regulations that Texas officials say are driving up costs and contributing to a diesel price crisis in the state.
In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency would reconsider two key Clean Air Act decisions affecting the Lone Star State: the 2015 ozone nonattainment classifications that imposed stricter emission controls in parts of Texas, and the Biden administration's disapproval of the state's plan to meet federal ozone standards.
“Texas should not be unfairly punished with burdensome requirements,” Zeldin said in a statement. “While EPA cannot prejudge the outcomes of these reconsiderations, the agency is committed to working with Texas to make sure this is done right.”
The move follows Abbott's statewide disaster declaration on Monday over soaring diesel prices, which allowed him to waive some commercial transportation restrictions, permit the use of untaxed dyed diesel on public roads, and suspend Texas's stricter low-emission diesel rules in favor of federal standards.
“Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family,” Abbott said in a press release.
Nationally, diesel prices average nearly $6.40 per gallon, up from about 84 cents a month ago and roughly $2.76 a year ago, according to AAA. The spike has become a political flashpoint, with lawmakers from both parties facing pressure to address fuel costs.
The EPA's review is seen as a win for Texas officials who have long argued that federal ozone rules are unfair to a state that has made significant air quality improvements. The agency's statement said the reconsideration “would ensure that manufacturers and residents in Texas are not penalized for pollution originating beyond their borders and control, allowing the region to continue growing and developing while maintaining clean air.”
The diesel price crunch has also drawn attention in Washington. The Senate is weighing a proposal by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and other farm-state Republicans to impose an embargo on diesel exports to boost domestic supply and lower prices. The White House has denied reports that it was planning a 90-day ban on diesel exports.
The EPA's decision to revisit the Texas rules adds to a broader rollback of environmental regulations under the Trump administration, which has already moved to loosen vehicle fuel economy standards. Critics, however, warn that weakening air quality rules could have public health consequences, while supporters argue that federal overreach is stifling economic growth.
As the debate continues, the high cost of diesel remains a top concern for many voters, a factor that could influence the upcoming midterm elections. The EPA's reconsideration process is expected to include public comment and review, but no timeline has been announced.
