Sherrill Urges New Jersey Ports to Reject Russian Diesel

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill urged port and terminal operators to reject Russian diesel shipments, warning that companies involved could face millions of dollars in penalties. The state’s warning puts operators between a federal authorization permitting certain Russian diesel transactions and Sherrill’s claim that the shipments would violate federal law. In letters sent Monday, Sherrill called on operators not to accept or unload Russian diesel at New Jersey terminals. She said the state would use its legal and regulatory powers to prevent the fuel from being unloaded there. Her warning cited potential penalties under federal customs law that could equal the value of a cargo. The federal authorization at issue is General License 135, issued October 9 by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. It permits specified transactions involving Russian-origin diesel through April 7, 2027. Treasury maintains that the authorization complies with applicable law. Sherrill argues the license conflicts with the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, enacted in 2022, which banned imports of Russian oil and petroleum products, including diesel. She contends the president...