US states, Bahamas seek relief from rising fuel costs

Officials and business groups are seeking relief from rising fuel costs, warning that higher operating expenses threaten industries and could push up consumer prices. Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate asked the USDA to include loggers in its $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program, which currently provides one-time payments to farmers, specialty-crop producers and commercial fishermen. In Minnesota, House Republicans urged Gov. Tim Walz to temporarily permit red-dyed diesel on state highways, a move they say would effectively ease the state’s 32.6-cent-per-gallon diesel tax for truckers, farmers, loggers and other businesses. In the Bahamas, the Chamber of Commerce called for temporary, targeted tax relief, saying businesses have already cut costs but may eventually need to pass higher fuel expenses on to customers.