RALEIGH, N.C. — Diesel and gasoline prices in North Carolina have begun to reflect the state's suspension of its 41-cent-per-gallon fuel tax, with pump prices falling over the weekend and into Monday, The Center Square reported.
On Monday morning, AAA reported the statewide diesel average at $5.84 a gallon and regular gasoline at $3.91, down from $5.98 and $4.09 respectively on Friday morning before the signing, according to The Center Square. Diesel had set a state record of $6.24 a gallon on September 19. Monday's national averages were $6.26 for diesel and $4.35 for regular gas.
Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 3, the Relief at the Pump Act, on October 9 after lawmakers approved it overwhelmingly in a special session — 111-1 in the House and 41-0 in the Senate. The suspension took effect October 10 and runs through November 30, covering gasoline, diesel and alternative fuels.
Source: WCAB News — NC fuel tax pause offers relief for drivers
The seven-week pause is expected to cost about $362.3 million in fuel-tax revenue that normally funds highway work. The law replaces that money for the state Department of Transportation from the Stabilization and Inflation Reserve, which lawmakers said holds about $518 million available, with total state reserves of about $11 billion cited by Treasurer Brad Briner.
Prices do not fall everywhere at once: stations pay the tax when they receive a fuel delivery, so many are still selling fuel bought with the tax already paid, and the reduction appears as new deliveries arrive. Attorney General Jeff Jackson has launched N.C. Fuel Check so drivers can report stations they believe are not passing the savings on, and his office is reviewing price data for outliers.
Source: WRAL via NewsBeep — NC gas tax suspended: Stein signs law aimed at lowering prices at the pump
For Punjabi and other truckers running I-40, I-85 and I-95 through North Carolina, even a partial pass-through matters: diesel remains far above last year's levels nationally, and the suspension is temporary — the tax returns after November 30 unless lawmakers act again.