Prices at the pump have risen in several states and population hubs, primarily metro Atlanta, causing much concern for residents and officials since the leak was discovered September 9. Colonial Pipeline started working on building a bypass line on Saturday, but has not said when the replacement might be operational. The price of a barrel of oil fell Monday to a almost seven-year low.
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Bentley met with Attorney General Luther Strange on Monday morning and the AG did not mention price gouging, so Bentley says that’s not an issue at this point.
Colonial has diverted some gasoline onto another pipeline that normally carries diesel and jet fuel, and has said it is making deliveries to fuel terminals in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Monday morning gasoline prices for regular unleaded was at $2.10 at the Community Stop gas station on US 401 across from St. Andrews University – by 2 p.m. the price had increased to $2.39, according to Caitlyn Graham, a clerk at Community Stop. Officials don’t know when it began, but it’s believed to have leaked more than 250,000 gallons of gasoline. The company said it has 700 employees and contractors working on the site. According to Colonial, the bypass would allow the pipeline to resume gasoline deliveries to impacted areas by the end of the week.
Gas prices went up an average of 11 cents over the past week, following a massive leak in a gas pipeline that’s a major supplier to the Southeast.
“We are out in our locations”, Bucky Miller, who purchases gas for four local stations, said Monday. In metro Atlanta, prices are up 34 cents over last week and 10 cents in the last day with the average price topping $2.50 per gallon.
Lee County saw a similar drop to $2.09 on Monday, while the average price in Collier sits at $2.16.
AAA said that is what is driving up gas prices.
Gas prices haven’t moved much, but the leak could make prices spike in Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and North Carolina.
In Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal also issued an executive order that lifts regulations on truck drivers delivering gasoline throughout the state.
“There have been recent reports that wholesale and retail gas prices have substantially increased in some markets”, he said.
Lindsey Paluka, 28, stopped at a Shell gas station in the East Atlanta neighborhood only to find a gas pump handle covered by a black garbage bag.
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AL.com reports, the leak has spread to another pond in the area. The order said, however, that no motor carrier “shall require or allow an ill or worn out driver to operate a motor vehicle”.
