{"id":2655380,"date":"2026-09-06T11:56:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T15:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ukraine-war-single-biggest-factor-driving-record-diesel-prices-wright-says\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T11:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T15:57:10","slug":"ukraine-war-single-biggest-factor-driving-record-diesel-prices-wright-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ukraine-war-single-biggest-factor-driving-record-diesel-prices-wright-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine war &#8216;single biggest factor&#8217; driving record diesel prices, Wright says"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fukraine-war-single-biggest-factor-driving-record-diesel-prices-wright-says%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2655380&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Energy Secretary chris Wright attributes the recent historic rise in diesel prices primarily to the Russia-Ukraine war, specifically citing the destruction of Russian refineries as a major factor. He explains that Russia, historically a notable exporter of diesel, has banned diesel exports, and China has also reduced its exports, tightening the refining market. Additionally, Wright mentions that Iran&#8217;s ongoing conflict contributes to rising gasoline and diesel costs.<\/p>\n<p>He criticizes U.S. policies, noting that the Biden administration has closed over a dozen refineries, including two in California, whereas the previous Trump administration worked to expand refinery capacity. Wright is optimistic about Venezuela&#8217;s oil production increasing, citing recent agreements with U.S. companies like Chevron and positive developments in their oil exports, which he says are progressing well above expectations.<\/p>\n<p>Despite international tensions and geopolitical issues, gas and diesel prices remain at record highs, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gas-prices-reach-6-year-high-amid-shortages\/\" title=\"... Reach 6-Year High Amid Shortages\">national average gas price<\/a> reaching <\/a>.15 per gallon and diesel at $5.90. The typical seasonal drop in prices after Labor Day might potentially be offset by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical risks, particularly involving Iran. Wright suggests that with rising gasoline production and declining demand, prices are more likely to decrease than increase moving forward.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Energy Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chris-wright\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11768\">Chris Wright<\/a> said the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia-ukraine-war\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"311\">Russia-Ukraine war<\/a> is the \u201csingle biggest factor\u201d behind the historic increase in diesel prices.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDiesel has been impacted by a lot of factors, but the single biggest one there has been the Ukrainian destruction of Russian refineries,\u201d Wright said on CNN\u2019s <em>State of the Union<\/em> on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy\/4715391\/ukraine-war-biden-record-diesel-prices-wright\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ukraine war \u2018single biggest factor\u2019 driving record diesel prices, Wright says<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy\/4710010\/chevron-ge-eni-deals-increase-drilling-venezuela\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Chevron, GE, and Eni sign deals to increase drilling in Venezuela<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy\/4707595\/gas-price-average-up-august-from-july-crude-oil-energy-information-administration\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gas prices\u2019 monthly average crept back up in August compared to July<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRussia was a meaningful exporter of diesel throughout the last several decades,\u201d he added. \u201cToday, they\u2019ve banned any exports of diesel. China has also dramatically throttled back exports of diesel, and in fact, Russia is importing gasoline, where they have historically been a net exporter of that. So the refining market has become very tight.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His remarks came as President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> special envoys <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/steve-witkoff\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11770\">Steve Witkoff<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jared-kushner\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"126\">Jared Kushner<\/a> engaged in peace talks with Russian officials in Moscow. The pair also traveled to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/volodymyr-zelensky\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"891\">Volodymyr Zelensky<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discussions resulted in no breakthroughs over the weekend as the war between <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"80\">Russia<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ukraine\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"82\">Ukraine<\/a> continues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"100\">Iran<\/a> war is also contributing to the record rise in gasoline and diesel prices, but Wright didn\u2019t focus on that conflict during his interview with CNN. Rather, he blamed Democrats for closing refineries over the past few years.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Biden administration closed over a dozen refineries in the United States,\u201d Wright said. \u201cGavin Newsom in California closed two significant refineries just in the last 12 months. We, of course, are rowing in the opposite direction. The Trump administration is working with our refiners to expand their capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Cabinet secretary cited his recent visit to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/venezuela\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"910\">Venezuela<\/a> as part of the administration\u2019s efforts to raise not only oil production but also refinery capacity to supply the global oil market.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last week, the United States facilitated a series of deals between the Venezuelan government and five energy companies, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chevron\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1055\">Chevron<\/a>. The signed agreements are separate from the major U.S.-Venezuela oil deal announced by Trump days before the energy chief\u2019s visit to Caracas.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn Venezuela, I think things are going swimmingly, well above our projections,\u201d Wright told CNN. \u201cTheir national production of oil is up 25%. Their exports of oil is up 50%. We\u2019re way ahead of plan, and with billions of new dollars announced for investment into the country, every month that story gets better than it was the month before. So progress is happening rapidly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amid all of the international developments, gas and diesel prices for the extended <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/labor-day\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11434\">Labor Day<\/a> weekend are at an all-time high.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of Sunday, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/\">AAA says<\/a> the national average gas price is $4.15, and the average for diesel is $5.90. Monday\u2019s average gas price is on track to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/labor-day-on-track-to-set-record-at-the-pump\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/gasprices.aaa.com\/labor-day-on-track-to-set-record-at-the-pump\/\">outpace the record<\/a> set by Labor Day 2012, which was $3.82 per gallon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4715018\/putin-pause-ukraine-strike-witkoff-kushner-moscow\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4715018\">PUTIN ORDERS PAUSE IN UKRAINE STRIKES AS WITKOFF AND KUSHNER ARRIVE IN MOSCOW<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gas prices usually decrease after Labor Day due to the falling seasonal demand this time of year, but it\u2019s likely those costs will remain high due to geopolitical tensions, particularly the U.S.-Iran war over the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/strait-of-hormuz\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"21488\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked if gas prices could rise significantly more than the already high levels, Wright said, \u201cI don\u2019t want to have an opinion on that.\u201d Pressed again on the question, he answered, \u201cGasoline production is about to go up, and demand is about to go down. So, if I had to guess, they\u2019re more likely to go down than go up.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wright cites Ukraine war as key cause of diesel price surge<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2655381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26245715296897.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[85213,85214,40714,56935,39692],"class_list":["post-2655380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-diesel-prices","tag-energy-inflation","tag-fuel-prices","tag-geopolitical-impact","tag-ukraine-conflict"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26245715296897.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2655380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2655380"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2655380\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2655384,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2655380\/revisions\/2655384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2655381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2655380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2655380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2655380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}