New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is criticizing President Donald Trump over sharply higher diesel prices, arguing that rising fuel costs are putting additional pressure on families and businesses across the state.
“Diesel prices are up about 75% under Donald Trump, and price increases are falling on the backs of hardworking New Jersey families,” Sherrill said Thursday.
Current fuel-price data show that diesel costs in New Jersey have indeed risen dramatically over the past year.
According to AAA, the average price of diesel in New Jersey stood at approximately $6.38 per gallon on October 1, compared with about $3.61 one year earlier — an increase of roughly 77%.
Diesel Near Record Levels in New Jersey
New Jersey diesel prices recently reached an all-time state average of approximately $6.46 per gallon on September 22, according to AAA.
Although prices have eased slightly since then, they remain far above both last year’s levels and the prices motorists were paying only a month ago. On September 1, the state average was about $5.76 per gallon.
The national picture is similar.
AAA reported a national diesel average of about $6.39 per gallon Thursday, compared with approximately $3.71 a year ago. The nationwide diesel price reached a record of about $6.53 on September 22.
Sherrill Places Political Responsibility on Trump
Sherrill’s statement places responsibility for the increase on the Trump administration, tying fuel prices to the broader debate over household costs and the economy.
The approximately 75% figure she cited is close to the year-over-year increase recorded by AAA in New Jersey.
However, the causes of the diesel-price surge extend beyond any single administration policy.
Reuters reports that fuel markets have been disrupted by several international factors, including the U.S.-Iran conflict, attacks on Russian refining capacity and declining global inventories of diesel and other refined petroleum products.
Those supply pressures have pushed governments across the country to look for ways to reduce costs.
States and Washington Look for Relief
Several states have temporarily changed fuel regulations, reduced taxes or introduced emergency measures aimed at increasing supplies.
The Trump administration has also considered federal steps, including broader access to red-dyed diesel and possible restrictions on fuel exports, as officials respond to elevated prices.
The issue is particularly important for diesel because its price affects far more than drivers at the pump.
Diesel powers much of the nation’s trucking, construction and agricultural equipment. Higher fuel costs can therefore increase transportation and operating expenses for businesses and potentially contribute to higher prices for goods delivered by truck.
For New Jersey consumers, Sherrill’s statement brings those broader market pressures into an increasingly political debate over who should bear responsibility for the cost of energy
Sources: AAA, Reuters, Office of Gov. Mikie Sherrill
By NJ RADAR Team