Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan urged a temporary U.S. diesel-export halt until the Iran conflict ends and energy exports resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said he backs it; the administration is assessing whether a restriction is feasible.
The American Petroleum Institute opposed an export restriction, arguing it would worsen refining challenges and hurt consumers. It said Gulf Coast refineries produce more diesel than the region uses and rely on exports to maintain high output; limits could lead to cuts in diesel, gasoline and jet-fuel production.
AAA said the national diesel average hit a record $6.53 a gallon Tuesday, with Alaska at $6.67; GasBuddy reported a nearly 31-cent rise nationwide in a week. The $26.82 price reported for Shungnak on Aug. 26 was for gasoline; an expert said low water kept barges from reaching the village, requiring fuel to be flown in. Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Ashley Hinson also called for a pause. Sen. John Thune said a ban probably made more sense to address prices, though reopening the Strait would be best.