Sherrill Warns New Jersey Terminals Against Russian Diesel

Published on November 3, 2026. On November 2, Gov. Mikie Sherrill sent letters to a dozen New Jersey port and terminal operators, urging them to refuse any tanker carrying Russian diesel. She said facilities that accepted the fuel could face civil and criminal consequences, and pledged to use legal and regulatory measures to prevent deliveries in the state.

Sherrill Challenges Trump’s Russian Diesel Waiver

Published on November 3, 2026. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel into global markets, warning state terminal operators that accepting the fuel could violate federal law. In letters sent November 2 to a dozen operators, she urged them to reject any such tanker and warned of civil and criminal penalties.

Congress prohibited Russian energy imports in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. Sherrill says the law does not give Trump or the Treasury Department broad power to suspend that restriction. The administration has said its temporary waiver complies with applicable law.

Sherrill has also argued that Russian fuel purchases support a government backing Iran, as well as Russia’s war against Ukraine. Her warning puts New Jersey facilities in the middle of a dispute over whether easing restrictions can lower fuel costs without breaching congressional sanctions.

It remains uncertain whether Russian diesel is headed to New Jersey. A tanker that left Russia on October 23 was tracked in the North Atlantic and had changed its destination listing from New York to “for orders.” It was scheduled to reach the United States on November 7. Kinder Morgan said it had not been notified of a shipment to its terminal; IMTT confirmed receiving Sherrill’s letter but did not comment.

The national average diesel price was $6.29 a gallon, amid price pressures linked to the Iran war and attacks on Russian refineries. Sherrill says operators could face penalties even after Trump leaves office.

Sherrill Threatens Terminals as Diesel Prices Remain High

Published on November 3, 2026. As diesel costs remain elevated, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is warning a dozen port and terminal operators not to accept Russian fuel, even though President Donald Trump’s administration has temporarily eased restrictions to allow Russian diesel into global markets. Sherrill says the imports would break federal law and has threatened legal and regulatory action.

The national average price was $6.29 per gallon, up sharply amid the war in Iran and attacks on Russian oil refineries. Although domestic diesel output exceeds the amount used in the United States, prices are shaped by the world market, leaving American consumers exposed to global supply pressures.

Sherrill’s November 2 letters urge operators to turn away tankers carrying Russian diesel and warn that penalties could follow. The administration has said its waiver complies with applicable law. Sherrill disputes that reading, asserting that Congress’s 2022 ban on Russian energy imports did not give the president or Treasury unlimited authority to suspend it.

The fuel’s destination remains uncertain. A Russian official said three tankers were headed for the United States, while shipping analysts identified one vessel that left Russia on October 23 and was scheduled to arrive November 7. It is now listed as having no discharge instructions and is in the North Atlantic.

Kinder Morgan said it had not received notice of a Russian diesel shipment to its New Jersey terminal. IMTT acknowledged Sherrill’s letter but declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to the warning.