Pipeline Rupture Causes Gas Shortages

[CleanPower]

Now who has range anxiety?

"An interstate gasoline pipeline has ruptured in central Alabama, spilling 338,000 gallons of fuel in an ecologically sensitive area and threatening fuel shortages across the eastern US. So far governors in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina have declared states of emergency.

...what led to the declarations of emergency, is the likelihood that fuel shortages will affect states across the eastern US, starting in the south." [The Guardian]

 

[Saghost]

Georgia's state of emergency is apparently about preventing gas prices from rising: two pieces so far, one on price gouging:

Georgia Governor Deal declares State of Emergency in wake of pipeline problems

And one allowing drivers of tanker trucks unlimited driving hours:

https://gov.georgia.gov/sites/gov.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/09.13.16.01.pdf

Alabama's seems to be the same - all in one order:

Governor Bentley Declares State of Emergency to Facilitate Granting of USDOT Waiver - Office of the Governor of Alabama

North Carolina's is waiving safety and vapor control requirements and size/weight limits for tanker trucks:

https://ncgovernor.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/documents/files/Executive Order 101.pdf

I haven't found anything talking about the health hazards or safety risks - just getting more gas to the addicted cheaply.

 

[tdjvfr]

Driving home from work I noticed very long lines at gas stations that still had gas. I chuckled to myself as I passed by.
Almost wanted to honk and wave, but decided not to.

 

[mikeash]

Unlimited hours for drivers of trucks containing dangerous, volatile liquid? What could possibly go wrong?

 

[CleanPower]

State of emergency declared in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WVEC) -- Governor Terry McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency in response to the temporary shutdown of Colonial Pipeline's main lines in Shelby County, Ala.

Executive Order #59 will allow for a state response to prevent gasoline shortages while the major pipeline is out of service.

In addition, the declaration waives certain state and federal regulations limiting the number of hours motor fuel carrier drivers can drive per week. This flexibility allows truck drivers to alleviate potential supply shortages caused by the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline.

People in Norfolk felt the impacts of the shutdown. At the Exxon gas station near downtown Norfolk, on Boush Street, an employee told 13News Now they've run out of premium as of Sunday night. The worker doesn't know when they'll get a refill.

With the remaining supply, the Exxon employee estimated it will only last another three to four days, if the conditions don't improve.

 

[DFibRL8R]

The process of moving oil and gasoline for consumption is complex, resource intense and vulnerable. Despite the vast supplies now identified in the US, the costs and risks with moving gasoline to market are significant. While electricity transmission is certainly subject to outages, they are easier to fix and typically don't lead to environmental catastrophe.