New Jersey governor warns ports against accepting Russian diesel shipments

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has issued a warning to local port officials and terminal operators about accepting shipments of Russian diesel, stating that such imports would violate federal law. She referenced a congressional ban enacted in April 2022 on energy imports from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

In a letter dated November 2, Sherrill emphasized that importing Russian diesel could result in civil and criminal charges. She pledged to use legal and regulatory measures to prevent New Jersey's ports from being used to receive these shipments.

The governor criticized former President Donald Trump for supporting Russian diesel imports, noting that he and Treasury officials do not have the authority to waive congressional sanctions. Sherrill called the imports a way to finance Russia's war against Ukraine and expressed her commitment to challenging such actions.

Sherrill also noted that Russia has been sending multiple oil tankers carrying diesel to the U.S., including at least one possibly destined for New Jersey. She urged port operators to reject any tankers attempting to use their facilities for illegal Russian fuel trade.

A Trump administration official told CBS News that the Treasury Department had issued a temporary general license to allow Russian diesel supply to the global market, but Sherrill maintains that this does not override congressional sanctions.