The proclamation responds to an escalating fuel shortage tied to disruptions in global oil markets. Abbott's office says the emergency declaration is meant to deliver immediate relief to the state's agricultural, ranching and freight industries, all of which depend heavily on diesel to keep running.
"Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel," Abbott said in a statement. "Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family."
Under the disaster declaration, the state is moving fast on relief measures, including changes to dyed-diesel restrictions, which typically limit the off-road, tax-exempt fuel to farm and construction equipment rather than highway vehicles.
For ranchers, farmers and trucking companies across the state, the record prices mean higher costs to move equipment, haul cattle and ship goods. Those expenses tend to trickle down to grocery store shelves everywhere. The move signals state officials see the price spike as more than a temporary blip.
A gallon of diesel now costs Texans more than most people pay for a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas combined.