Governor Tim Walz Grants Weight Limit Relief Amid Diesel Price Surge

(KNSI) — Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order Thursday giving farmers, loggers and truckers some relief as diesel prices hit record highs.

The order lets vehicles hauling corn, soybeans, wheat, potatoes, carrots, sugar beets, and forest products exceed weight limits by up to 10% on state and local highways. The change applies from the harvest site to the first unloading point and lets producers move more product per trip to save fuel. It does not apply on interstates.

Temporary hours-of-service relief has also been granted to drivers hauling fuel, including diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, ethanol, and biodiesel. Driver qualification, commercial license, drug and alcohol testing, and safety equipment requirements still apply.

The statewide average for diesel is $6.23 a gallon, according to AAA. Minnesota farmers report about 90% of their on-farm fuel goes to planting, caring for, and harvesting crops. Corn and soybeans take roughly eight gallons of fuel per acre, with two to three gallons used at harvest alone.

Governors in ten other states, including Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska and Texas, have taken similar steps.

The order is effective immediately and runs until it is rescinded or October 30th, whichever comes first. The state says it is looking at additional ways to support farmers, loggers, truckers, and fuel haulers.

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