National diesel hits $6.53 a gallon as Sullivan calls for a pause on U.S. exports

The national on-highway diesel average reached $6.53 a gallon in the week of Sept. 21, up 24 cents in seven days and $2.78 from a year earlier, according to the Energy Information Administration. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan called Tuesday, Sept. 22, from Anchorage for a temporary halt to American diesel exports, saying Alaska families, truckers, and fishermen should get first claim on domestic fuel ahead of winter.

No federal agency has acted on the proposal. It remains a public call rather than a restriction in force.

"American workers are producing more diesel than they have in years, yet Alaskans are paying higher prices at the pump," Sullivan said. "I'm calling for a temporary pause of American diesel exports so that we can rebuild our reserves ahead of winter, and put American and Alaskan families first."

The pause should lift once the conflict with Iran is resolved and U.S. inventories return to normal ranges, he said. He tied the step to his longer-standing push for more in-state production: "The best way to bring down energy prices for Alaskans is to produce more energy in Alaska, by Alaskans, for Alaskans."

Alaska's own numbers are eight months old. The state's Alaska Fuel Price Report: Winter 2026, collected Jan. 19, put average retail unleaded gasoline across surveyed communities at $6.63 a gallon. The national gasoline average was $2.70 that week and $4.48 in the week of Sept. 21. Heating fuel averaged $6.49 a gallon in 92 unsubsidized communities, those receiving no fuel subsidy. The survey is taken twice a year, in January and July, and the state has published nothing since.

Peltola's campaign has said new fuel shipments are expected to lock in prices exceeding $20 a gallon for the coming year in some rural regions.

The release came from Sullivan's campaign, which also criticized his opponent, Mary Peltola. Spokesman Nate Adams said Peltola "looks at record diesel prices and sees an opportunity to run a campaign ad full of empty promises."

At the Kodiak fisheries debate on Sept. 13, Peltola called fuel the No. 1 cost for fishermen in every sector and region. She said Sullivan has voted more than 10 times to support the war in Iran, which she said is driving up gas and diesel prices.