Colonial Pipeline Company, an Alabama pipeline that supplies metro Atlanta with gasoline suffered a major leak last week, spilling about 250,000 gallons of gasoline that has led to a shortage at pumps around the state.
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In McCrory’s statement Sunday, he said that Colonial indicated the bypass line would be ready by mid to late week – and that an extra day would be needed for testing before gas started flowing.
Impacts of the gas shortage is being felt right here in southeastern North Carolina especially for the drivers who are hauling fuel to gas stations across the state.
“A leak earlier this month caused the closure of a key pipeline that carries gas to the eastern United States, a disruption that’s already causing inconveniences for consumers in the region”.
The pipeline runs from Houston to NY and carries gasoline to the eastern part of the United States.
The company has acknowledged that between 252,000 gallons (953,896 liters) and 336,000 gallons (1,271,861 liters) of gasoline leaked from a pipeline near Helena, Alabama, since the spill was first detected September 9.
DeHaan said Colonial is working on a go-around line while the main line is repaired but “there is no easy way to fix the pipeline and immediately restore gasoline deliveries”. AAA Carolinas reported Monday that the average price of a gallon of unleaded in North Carolina was $2.16, up from last week’s average of $2.05.
Colonial Pipeline said Monday that it expects to finish construction this week on a bypass that will allow it to restore full service.
“So, it could become worse at the pump in terms of pricing and availability before it gets better, but there are multiple projects underway to try and mitigate any further harm”, he said, pointing to reports of plans to build a bypass for the leak.
“People should be aware the more they rush out in a panic, the higher prices will go up; motorists have complete control over this”, says DeHaan.
While the leak has kept him busy with work, Butler said he’s had no trouble getting gas to drive between the work site and the command center, about 20 miles away. The average price of regular gas in Georgia a week ago was around $2.10, AAA reported.
An update from GasBuddy said prices Sunday were 6.1 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are now 11.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. That should allow gasoline deliveries to affected areas to resume by the end of the week.
On Sept. 14, Haley issued her first executive order related to the pipeline issues, waiving hours of service requirements for fuel trucks and complying with states of emergency in Alabama and Georgia.
Local gas stations like the Masonboro Country Store, Russell’s Quick Stop in Leland and Wrightsville Country Store were still pumping gas Monday afternoon, but were running low, said owner Musa Agil.
In Georgia, gas prices have risen 24 cents in the last week and 2 cents today.
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A section of Colonial Pipeline’s Line 1 was found to have spilled an estimated 336,000 gallons of fuel in Shelby County, Alabama, on Friday, Sept. 9.
