CleanTechnica: "Trump’s Latest Diesel Fuel 'Deal' Already Reeks Of Failure (And Corruption, Of Course)," by Tina Casey.
"In his zeal to somehow push the cost of diesel down ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections, Trump has turned to the nation’s chief Cold War enemy—Russia—for a helping hand." As for any benefit to the farmers, truckers, + others who actually care about the cost of diesel fuel, the joke’s on them.
'Electric trucks, generators, + off-road equipment are beginning to cut into the picture, but for here + now, diesel rules the road, + is more expensive this year [mainly] because we bombed Iran.' Last month, Trump floated the idea of banning diesel exports for 90 days, an idea that was promptly shot down by his own advisors because it would push prices up farther. "On October 5 Trump ordered a tax waiver enabling truck drivers to pump red diesel into their tanks...simply regular diesel fuel, dyed red."
"After 90 days, the standard federal penalty for unauthorized red diesel reverts $1,000 or $10 per gallon, whichever is greater, with states often stacking their own penalties on top.” Sure enough, various newsrooms around the country have been reporting that truckers are wary of the tax holiday.
"The news organization LandLine Media notes that the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association + the Nevada Trucking Association are among those giving it the stinkeye." Fuel marketers have also raised red flags, so to speak, including the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America + the National Association of Truck Stop Owners.
On October 9th, Trump posted on his personal social media platform. saying Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American + Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, + 1 million Tons immediately thereafter.
"As for why Trump stated his figures in tons + not gallons, who knows?" Whether or not Putin actually gave those numbers to Trump, this is actually a fantasy. From the many pictures of Russian refineries going up in explosions + smoke, plus the fact that Putin has not been allowing any export of diesel because of acute shortages in his country, this ex-KGB intelligence agent is just blowing smoke. And Trump's desperation is causing him to inhale.
Innumeracy is rampant in our society, a gross failure of our educational system.
