Diesel Shortage Sparks NASTC Safety Warning Over Proposed Tanker HOS Relief
Diesel shortage? NASTC warns Congress, voicing safety concerns with tanker HOS relief
The National Association of Small Trucking Companies is urging Congress to consider a temporary pause on U.S. diesel and distillate exports as inventories decline and fuel prices rise.
In a Sept. 24 letter to leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives, NASTC President David Owen shared the association’s concerns and those of an NASTC member who warned that a prolonged drawdown in diesel supplies could create serious problems for small carriers and owner-operators.
The member cited a Sept. 9 Short-Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which forecast that U.S. distillate inventories would fall below 100 million barrels in September and remain below the five-year low through much of 2027.
“Small carriers and owner-operators have the least room to absorb a sudden fuel-cost spike,” the member wrote, according to NASTC’s letter.
The member recommended a temporary six-month pause on U.S. diesel and distillate exports, with limited exemptions for national security, binding treaty obligations and genuine humanitarian needs. The proposal also called for weekly public reporting on inventories and formal reviews after 90 and 180 days.
The member described the proposal as an emergency measure rather than a permanent protectionist policy. The recommendation came as multiple Middle Eastern routes faced pressure and diesel prices were rising, according to the letter.
NASTC, which operates the Quality Plus Network fuel-discount program for its members, said the proposal deserved consideration. Some state governors also have recommended examining restrictions on diesel and distillate exports in recent weeks.
Inventories remain below normal
More recent EIA data continued to show weakness in distillate supplies. In its Oct. 6 outlook, the agency said East Coast distillate inventories were 32% below their five-year seasonal average in September. EIA expects inventories to remain about 20% below the 2021-2025 average through the upcoming winter.
Distillate fuel includes diesel, heating oil and other related products. Trucking demand is closely tied to diesel availability and price, while agriculture, construction and heating demand can add seasonal pressure to supplies.
EIA also said it expects East Coast inventories to gradually improve as global fuel markets ease, with supplies moving closer to the five-year average during the second half of next year.
A pause on exports could help rebuild domestic inventories, but industry analysts have noted that such a move could also affect refinery economics and international fuel markets. Restricting exports could reduce trading opportunities and put pressure on refinery margins, potentially affecting refiners’ incentives to maximize distillate production.
NASTC questions extended driving time for fuel haulers
NASTC’s letter also called for congressional oversight of a federal waiver that temporarily relaxes hours-of-service rules for fuel haulers.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration granted the relief in September, with the waiver scheduled to remain in effect through Dec. 16. The measure allows certain fuel-hauling operations to use expanded driving and on-duty limits while responding to supply concerns.
Owen said the relief raises safety concerns because drivers transporting diesel and other hazardous materials could be permitted to drive for as many as 16 consecutive hours in a day.
“Allowing a driver to drive 16 consecutive hours a day is not consistent with the philosophy behind the HOS rules,” Owen wrote. “To allow drivers of tankers hauling hazardous material in the form of diesel fuel to drive 16 hours straight in a day creates a tremendous highway safety risk.”
NASTC argued that increasing delivery capacity does not increase the amount of fuel available. Owen said that “speeding up fuel delivery does not address the fuel supply itself” and questioned whether the waiver could be implemented without compromising highway safety.
For drivers and small fleets, the dispute puts two concerns side by side: keeping fuel moving to customers and ensuring that tanker drivers are rested enough to operate safely. NASTC is asking Congress to examine whether the temporary HOS relief is appropriate while the fuel market remains under pressure.
Texas waiver prompts engine warning
The Environmental Protection Agency has taken a separate step to address potential diesel shortages in Texas. At the request of Gov. Greg Abbott, the agency issued a temporary waiver lifting certain Texas Low Emissions Diesel standards and ultra-low-sulfur diesel requirements for 20 days.
The waiver permits the production and sale of diesel containing up to 500 parts per million of sulfur, but its use is limited. It applies to older, pre-emissions trucks built before the 2007 model year and to certain off-road Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines.
Modern engines equipped with diesel particulate filters or other emissions-control systems must continue using standard 15-parts-per-million ultra-low-sulfur diesel.
Cummins warned customers to follow the fuel specifications for their engines and equipment. The company said using fuel with more sulfur than allowed can damage the engine and its aftertreatment system. Cummins also said damage caused by using incorrect fuel will not be covered under warranty.
The company clarified that using dyed diesel by itself does not damage an engine or aftertreatment system and does not void the warranty. The key issue is whether the fuel meets the engine manufacturer’s sulfur and fuel-quality requirements.
With states adopting different fuel-tax and dyed-diesel policies, and with federal and state requirements not always aligned, carriers must verify both the fuel specification and the tax rules that apply to a particular vehicle and location.
