Diesel Fuel Shortage Impacting North Dakota Haulers

Cold weather sparks demand in No. 1 diesel fuel, creating long lines for truckers.

January 14, 2014

FARGO – A diesel shortage is impacting area haulers, the Bismarck Tribune reports.

Demand for No. 1 diesel fuel peaks during the cold weather, as truckers find it more reliable than No. 2 diesel fuel. However, with sustained cold temperatures this month, demand for No. 1 has increased, forcing prices 60 cents above No. 2 diesel fuel.

"That's what people want to burn when it's this cold to make sure that they don't have any engine troubles on the road, and that's understandable," said Mike Rud, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association said. "We just haven't gotten caught up in terms of supply. The demand has just outpaced supply by a long shot. We're finally starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel here."

Leon Schwan, who hauls fuel to Petro stations in the Fargo-Moorhead area, said he's been forced to plan ahead by waiting in long lines for fuel.

"You might go a week before the pipeline might have it again," Schwan said. "And you either better be full and have a way you're going to get your next load from or you're going to be driving out of town or even out of state to go get it."

Schwan said he recently waited 11 hours to get one load of diesel fuel.

Governor Jack Dalrymple recently signed an hours of service waiver, allowing drivers more time to move the product.

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