The Iran War, Diesel, and the Spillover Effects on Education
Hey y’all, it’s been a minute.
I like diesel engines. I used to drive a diesel and I loved the 50 mpg I could sometimes achieve. I like the sound of the engine and it was always fun when someone at the gas station would warn me about putting diesel in my car. Yeah buddy, I got glow plugs not spark plugs and no it’s not a rod knocking.
In general I have found the American (read California Air Resources Board) apprehension to a diesel engine confusing. That 2.8d that Toyota has built is more indestructible than the Hilux it powers. I digress.
I was at an Atlanta School Board meeting Monday afternoon (working session before the public meeting with votes in the evening) and the CFO had some fun facts to share. TL;DR is that diesel prices are up more than $2 a gallon than this time last year and they are now facing $1 million in un-budgeted fuel costs.
Specifically from slide 13:
Diesel prices have increased 18% in the last 45 days. In FY26, we purchased diesel at an average cost of $3.35/gallon, and thus far in FY27, our average cost is $5.56/gallon. If this average continues, the district projects to spend approximately $1 million in additional fuel costs this fiscal year.
Meanwhile the feds very much agree. The EIA has this chart. Bringing back something from Roaring Kitty back in 2021, that price is going to the moon. And the tendies delivery is only going to be more expensive.
But now, thanks to a fools errand to pick an unnecessary war with Iran, school systems are getting walloped with higher costs this year for transportation fuel. It’s not just truckers. And while I think gas tax holidays are dumb at best, this is an area where it will have ZERO effect. School systems, like other governmental entities, don’t pay motor fuels tax. Which is another thing I with which I disagree.
The rising cost of fuel, all of it, from regular unleaded to maritime diesel to jet fuel, is hitting us all in the pocket. This year was the first time ever that it cost me $50 to fill up my hybrid Ford Fusion. Now that pain is coming for your school system too.
I don’t know how much it will affect other school systems but that un-budgeted $1 million for Atlanta is the cost (with benefits) of about 12 new teachers.
APS isn’t even the biggest school system in the state. Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb are all larger both student wise and geography wise. I hope they are making plans. Meanwhile our rural school districts are also going to feel this hit. They may have fewer students, but they have long stretches of asphalt to cover.
