Three More States Declare a State of Emergency as Effects of Pipeline Attack WorsenThe governors of Virginia, Florida and Georgia have all signed executive orders in their respective states in an attempt to prohibit price gauging of fuel prices and to prepare for possible shortages.
ByEmily Rella•
The fallout from theCoastal Pipeline cyberattackcontinues to increase in severity as three more states have declared a state of emergency surrounding the situation.
The governors of Virginia, Florida and Georgia have all signed executive orders in their respective states in an attempt to prohibit price gauging of fuel prices and to prepare for possible fuel supply shortages.
"This emergency declaration will help the Commonwealth prepare for any potential supply shortages and ensure Virginia motorists have access to fuel as we respond to this evolving situation," Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said in astatement.
Wow! Gas prices at this BP gas station off Williamsburg Rd in Richmond now up to $6.99. When we arrived about 20 minutes ago it was at $5.99.
— Shannon Lilly CBS 6 (@ShannonLillyTV)May 11, 2021
一个女人生活在这个领域当她少女说d up two hours ago it was at $2.99.@CBS6pic.twitter.com/LBbtAuDGRi
that is why the governor of Virginia should not have issued a state of emergency, it automatically created a false panic for no reason.
— Steven Badeau (@StevenBadeau)May 12, 2021
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management urged residents to not "panic" buy gas out of fear.
"This can create spot shortages at stations, which is what we DON'T want to happen," the organizationsaid. "Colonial Pipeline hopes to resume normal operations soon."
Governor Ron DeSantis of Floridasigneda similar executive order, with many Floridians noting that hoards of gas stations have already run out of fuel supply.
Florida update:
— Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy)May 12, 2021
73% of Pensacola stns no gasoline
44% of Tallahassee stns no gasoline
15% of Gainesville stns no gasoline
Rest of FL looking good
Though the southern portion of Florida doesn't receive gas from the Colonial Pipeline (it receives fuel from barges shipped intoports), panic buying and hoarding of supplies could cause outages and inflation statewide.
Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia has alsodeclaredan emergency, noting that he has suspended the gas tax in his state.
Today I signed an executive order suspending the gas tax in Georgia to help with higher prices as a result of the Colonial cyber attack. We are working closely with Colonial and expect for them to recover by the end of the week.pic.twitter.com/evGLqwHs2X
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp)May 11, 2021
"We are taking action to relieve some of the cost burden from Georgians as Colonial recovers by suspending fuel taxes, increasing the weight limit for supply trucks, and prohibiting price gouging," Kemp said.
On a national level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergencywaiverthat is aimed to help prevent fuel shortages on the East Coast — namely Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and D.C. — by waiving the "Reid vapor pressure requirements' for gas being sold in select areas.
Energy Secretary Jennifer GranholmurgedAmericans affected to watch for price hikes.
"We expect that gas station owners are and should act responsibly," she said. "We will have no tolerance for price gouging. Federal and state officials will be investigating those actions if they see price gouging."
National gas pricesjumpedto an average of $3.008 per gallon as of Tuesday, May 12.
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