Trump’s Executive Order Expands Dyed Diesel Use Amid Farmer Concerns

President Trump signs an executive order to allow the expanded use of dyed diesel to ease rising diesel prices.

October 7, 2026

President Donald Trump holds up an executive order allowing expanded use of dyed diesel, and the pen he used to sign the order, during a political rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Oct. 5, 2026, at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Listen to an audio version of this story produced by reporter Meghan O’Brien. Broadcasters: See below for a downloadable version with a host intro script.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending the use of red-dyed diesel, a tax-exempt fuel for farm equipment, to highway vehicles amid rising diesel costs. This move aims to provide relief, but some farmers express concerns. They worry about penalties once the order expires, as the dye used in red-dyed diesel could linger in fuel tanks, potentially leading to fines. Farmers are also concerned about how enforcement will be managed after the order’s expiration.

Red-dyed diesel is normally restricted to offroad machinery, but the order temporarily allows its use in vehicles like pickups and semitrucks. South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has issued a directive to align with Trump’s announcement, allowing broader use of dyed diesel within the state. Josie Harms, Rhoden’s spokesperson, addressed concerns about the dye’s residue, stating a simple color check can differentiate recent from residual use.

This dyed diesel is the same as regular diesel but without the federal tax, making it cheaper. Yet, its use on public roads is illegal unless under the current executive order, which waives penalties until year-end. The South Dakota Department of Transportation uses a stick test to check for dye in fuel tanks, which can be done at weigh stations or when vehicles are parked. Farmers like Reid Jensen and Doug Sombke worry about enforcement and see the order as a temporary fix, not addressing the root causes of high fuel costs.

To further assist farmers, Rhoden has also allowed agricultural transport at higher weight limits without permits, another strategy to combat diesel prices. Despite these efforts, some farmers remain cautious about potential legal repercussions and the effectiveness of these temporary measures.

This story was originally produced by South Dakota Searchlight, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Daily Montanan, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.