Governor McCrory Closely Tracking Gasoline Pipeline Repairs

RALEIGH, NC (September 18, 2016)…Governor Pat McCrory and other North Carolina officials are continuing to work with fuel suppliers to monitor and quickly replenish fuel supplies. State officials got an update from Colonial Pipeline executives this evening regarding plans for getting gasoline flowing again on one of the main lines that supplies North Carolina and many other eastern states.

“Based on our ongoing updates from Colonial, the construction of a bypass pipeline is moving forward which will soon allow fuel supply operations to return to normal,” said Governor McCrory. “In the meantime, my executive orders remain in effect to protect motorists from excessive gas prices and minimize any interruptions in the supply of fuel.”

While there are pockets of service stations that have experienced temporary shortages, many have received supplies and others have them scheduled for Monday. The governor has directed Emergency Management officials to stay in contact with local officials should they have any requests for assistance.

Colonial described how it expects to have a bypass of the leak in place by mid to late week. Upon completion of the bypass, it will take a day to test and get the line back in operation. The company has also been able to use another line to offset the shortage due to the line with the leak. Colonial continues trucking and re-supplying gasoline to the areas that need it.

On Thursday, Governor McCrory issued an executive order temporarily waiving hours of service restrictions for fuel vehicles traveling in and through the state in order to prevent disruptions and backups at major fuel distribution hubs. Friday, the governor issued a second executive order that waives additional trucking restrictions and protects consumers from price gouging at the fuel pumps. Both executive orders remain in place for 30 days or until they are canceled.

For those who wish to follow the Colonial Pipeline Response, visit their website at www.colpipe.com. There is a link on their website that will take you directly to the Alabama response.