# West Virginia Executive Order 2-26: Emergency Dyed-Diesel Fuel Relief

[State law tracker](/state-laws/)

Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a 60-day state of emergency across all 55 West Virginia counties and signed Executive Order 2-26 on October 20, 2026, to give temporary relief for the use of red-dyed diesel fuel. The order temporarily suspends state penalties (citations, arrests, prosecutions, and seizures) for using dyed diesel on public highways and directs state agencies to stop fuel inspections and tank sampling aimed at detecting its use. Dyed diesel, normally reserved for off-road equipment, is cheaper than highway diesel; the order is estimated to save drivers 20.5 cents per gallon, or about $41 on a 200-gallon fill-up. It takes effect immediately, lasts 60 days (through about December 19, 2026), and follows the October 5 federal dyed-diesel order. (The text below is the Governor's official press release announcing the order; the order's full text had not yet been posted publicly as of October 21, 2026.)

  StateWest Virginia
  TypeExecutive order
  NumberEO 2-26
  DatedOctober 20, 2026
  Official source[Official text](https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-morrisey-declares-state-emergency-provide-diesel-fuel-relief-west-virginia)

## Listen

*Audio narration is being produced and will appear here soon.*

## Full text

The complete text of EO 2-26 (West Virginia), reproduced from the official source. Government edicts are in the public domain.

Governor Morrisey Declares State of Emergency to Provide Diesel Fuel Relief for West Virginia Families

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey today declared a 60-day state of emergency across all 55 West Virginia counties and signed an executive order to provide temporary relief for the use of red-dyed diesel fuel. The action will save businesses and drivers 20.5 cents per gallon, helping lower transportation costs that affect the prices West Virginia families pay for everyday goods.

"Making West Virginia more affordable means looking for every opportunity to help families keep more of their hard-earned money," said Governor Morrisey. "Transportation costs affect the prices we pay at the grocery store and throughout our economy. Today, we're giving businesses and citizens an opportunity to lower those costs, so that savings will benefit West Virginia families."

According to AAA, the average price of diesel fuel in West Virginia reached $6.34 per gallon on October 20, compared with $3.57 at the same time last year. The Governor's emergency declaration cites rising diesel prices and limited supply as threats to the delivery of essential goods, farm operations, emergency services, and other activities that West Virginians depend on.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 5 providing temporary federal relief for the highway use of red-dyed diesel. Governor Morrisey's executive order takes similar action at the state level by temporarily suspending penalties tied to the use of red-dyed diesel on highways and directing state agencies to stop fuel inspections aimed specifically at detecting its use.

Red-dyed diesel, normally used in off-road equipment, is generally cheaper than regular highway diesel. At 20.5 cents per gallon in savings, a truck buying 200 gallons of diesel will save $41 on a single fill-up. For businesses operating fleets of trucks, those savings can add up quickly.

The relief will benefit industries that are central to West Virginia's economy, including coal, natural gas, agriculture, forestry, and trucking, which depend on diesel-powered vehicles and equipment to move products to market. Whether it's a truck hauling coal or transporting timber, lower transportation costs can mean savings throughout the supply chain.

"The unprecedented rise in fuel costs for surface mining and coal haulage have added to the challenges facing West Virginia coal. The suspension will reduce cost pressure and help us compete in a very difficult market."

- Chris Hamilton, President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association

"Loggers are essential to West Virginia's rural economies and the first link in the forest products supply chain. Unprecedented operational costs, particularly rising fuel costs, are threatening their ability to remain in business. The West Virginia Forestry Association appreciates Governor Morrisey's willingness to recognize the severity of the situation and take steps to provide relief."

- James Smith, Executive Director of the West Virginia Forestry Association

"Fuel is a significant cost for the producers, service companies, and contractors who keep West Virginia's natural gas and oil industry operating, and rising diesel prices are putting real pressure on them. We appreciate Governor Morrisey's decisive action to provide temporary flexibility that helps businesses keep trucks moving and keep costs under control."

- Rebecca McPhail, President of the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia

"When we help the businesses that produce and transport the goods we depend on, we're helping the families who buy those products," said Governor Morrisey. "This is another step in our efforts to make West Virginia more affordable while supporting the industries and workers who keep our economy moving."

The state of emergency will remain in effect for 60 days unless ended earlier. The executive order takes effect immediately and directs state agencies to carry out the temporary relief. West Virginia's motor fuel excise tax and commercial vehicle safety inspections remain in effect.

(The text above is the Governor's official press release announcing the order; the order's full text had not yet been posted publicly as of October 21, 2026.)

## More tracked laws and orders

- [**New York A.1962-B: Francesco's Law (Safe Storage of Rifles, Shotguns, and Firearms)**New York - October 21, 2026](/state-laws/new-york-francescos-law-safe-storage/)
- [**New York S.7236: Ammunition Background Check Denials for Prohibited Purchasers**New York - October 21, 2026](/state-laws/new-york-ammunition-background-checks/)
- [**Nebraska Executive Order 26-25: Emergency Relief Due to Motor Fuel Supply Shortages**Nebraska - October 19, 2026](/state-laws/nebraska-fuel-supply-emergency-relief/)
- [**New York A.6790-A / S.6233-A: Volunteer Firefighter and Ambulance Worker Tax Credit**New York - October 17, 2026](/state-laws/new-york-volunteer-firefighter-tax-credit/)
- [**Nebraska Executive Order 26-24: Statewide Public Safety Communications Task Force**Nebraska - October 15, 2026](/state-laws/nebraska-executive-order-26-24-public-safety-communications/)
- [**Ohio Executive Order 2026-04D: Fairness for Ohio's NCAA Student-Athletes**Ohio - October 13, 2026](/state-laws/ohio-executive-order-2026-04d-ncaa-eligibility/)

Browse the [full state law tracker](/state-laws/) or the [government reports library](/books/government-reports).

## Frequently asked questions

### What does West Virginia Executive Order 2-26: Emergency Dyed-Diesel Fuel Relief do?

Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a 60-day state of emergency across all 55 West Virginia counties and signed Executive Order 2-26 on October 20, 2026, to give temporary relief for the use of red-dyed diesel fuel. The order temporarily suspends state penalties (citations, arrests, prosecutions, and seizures) for using dyed diesel on public highways and directs state agencies to stop fuel inspections and tank sampling aimed at detecting its use. Dyed diesel, normally reserved for off-road equipment, is cheaper than highway diesel; the order is estimated to save drivers 20.5 cents per gallon, or about $41 on a 200-gallon fill-up. It takes effect immediately, lasts 60 days (through about December 19, 2026), and follows the October 5 federal dyed-diesel order. (The text below is the Governor's official press release announcing the order; the order's full text had not yet been posted publicly as of October 21, 2026.) The full text is reproduced below so you can read exactly what it says.

### When was West Virginia EO 2-26 issued, and how long does it last?

It was issued October 20, 2026, took effect immediately, and lasts 60 days (through about December 19, 2026) unless ended earlier. The relief applies to conduct from October 21 onward.

### Where can I read the official text?

The official source is linked on this page (https://governor.wv.gov/article/governor-morrisey-declares-state-emergency-provide-diesel-fuel-relief-west-virginia). The full text is also reproduced below for easy reading and searching.

### Is there an audio version?

Not yet. Audio narration is being produced and will appear on this page soon.

### What state penalties are suspended?

The order temporarily suspends citations, arrests, prosecutions, and seizures tied to using red-dyed diesel on public highways, and directs state agencies to stop fuel inspections and tank sampling aimed at detecting its use. West Virginia's motor fuel excise tax and commercial vehicle safety inspections remain in effect.

### How much can drivers save?

The Governor's office estimates savings of 20.5 cents per gallon. A truck buying 200 gallons of diesel will save $41 on a single fill-up, and fleets can save more.