Georgia governor declares emergency following gas pipeline break
ATLANTA - Filling our vehicles with fuel is a regular routine for most of us, but a problem with a major supplier has shifted the approach of how Georgia is getting its gasoline right now.
“There is a slight disruption in service but we anticipate that to be back on track very soon,” said Angela Holland, with the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores. She said the Association has not received calls from any of its 2,500 members about fuel shortages.
Holland said a pipeline break in Alabama has spilled 250,000 gallons. The break is on one of two supply lines, one usually for gasoline, the other for diesel and jet fuel is disrupting supplies belonging to Colonial Pipeline Company.
“We have a contingency plan where we have moved gasoline over to the other line it normally carries diesel and fuel jet and we're moving gasoline to all points on our system,” said Steve Baker with Colonial Pipeline.
Steve said each line moves a million barrels a day from Houston, Texas to metro Atlanta, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and up the Eastern Seaboard. With only one flowing he said the Governor’s Office stepped in with an emergency declaration, after working with the EPA to free up dirtier burning winter blend gasoline earlier than usual.
“One thing I'd want the public to know is this is a temporary situation that we're working diligently to remedy,” said Baker.
FOX 5 News spoke to several motorists in Cobb County in the Austell area. Doug Bonner said he'd recently seen a price hike at the pumps.
“The price went up three to five cents in the last two days. That’s what I've seen. They need to do something about it,” said Bonner.
Baker with Colonial Pipeline said fuel supplies are also coming from other sources, another pipeline and tankers from Savannah. Angela Holland, with the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores believes the disruption will remain minimal.
“I really don't think we'll don't think we're going to see anything other than just a few little spotty here and there because I think Colonial has done such an exceptional job,” said Holland.
As FOX 5 News reporter George Franco was preparing for his live shot for FOX 5 News at 10 at the QT near the intersection of North Druid Hills and Briarcliff roads, the price of gas at the station went up by $0.14. No indication it was connected to the disruption of fuel supplies into Georgia and metro Atlanta.