And authorities in SC said they had heard of “isolated cases” of gas stations running out of fuel. They also must be properly permitted by the state.
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Fuel supplies in at least five states – Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas – have been threatened by a pipeline spill in Alabama, and the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered the company responsible, Colonial Pipeline, to take corrective action before the fuel starts flowing again. “Consumers can and should purchase fuel as they would normally – and as engineers work to fix pipeline issues, we will continue to monitor developments in the region”. The average price of regular gas in Georgia a week ago was around $2.10, AAA reported.
Workers discovered the leak in a Colonial Pipeline Co. line September 9, according to AL.com.
The average price for a gallon of gas in metro Atlanta is $2.47, according to AAA.
Nationally, the average price for gasoline was $2.19 Saturday, up a penny from the previous week, while statewide, Georgia’s Saturday average was $2.20, an increase of nine cents from seven days earlier, according to AAA. The highest reported price, $9.99 a gallon at a station in King, had been advertised but not actually charged, though the Consumer Protection Division was investigating one sale at $5.89 and another topping $4 a gallon. Gas prices in the Triangle have risen an average of almost 10 cents since Friday, although some stations are much higher.
Nearby, a Zelmo’s Zip In and Chevron Food Market outlet was pumping gas, however, with the price there $2 per gallon.
They join Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and New Jersey as the only states with prices below $2 gallon. Last week, prices were down 9 cents. Despite the recent increases, both of the Carolinas are still seeing gas prices under the national average of $2.20.
Gov. Nathan Deal and other leaders in the region have declared a state of emergency so truck drivers can work longer hours to make up for the drop in supply.
The disruption in the supply chain also is sending gas prices up.
Terrell Hutchison of Columbia filled up his vehicle in downtown Charleston Monday on his way home after a vacation.
“I urge the public to maintain regular consumption levels and travel schedules in order to reduce further interruption in fuel supply”, Deal said in a statement.
Some fuel analysts don’t expect the spurt in prices to be permanent. Media reports indicate crews are working to bypass the ruptured portion of the pipeline, with the possibility that the work could be completed sometime this week.
Colonial said supply disruptions would be felt first in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and SC. “Motorists are encouraged to follow their normal driving habits and to not draw abnormally large amounts of gasoline from the pump”.
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Monday, the governor of Georgia issued an executive order preventing price gouging following the gas shortage in the state.
