Gas Shortage Concerns in Virginia: Emergency Order From Governor

RICHMOND, VA — Commonwealth officials are preparing for gas shortages that have impacted other states in the Southeast after a pipeline leak in Alabama has halted distribution to some retailers in Virginia and other states in the region. On Friday, Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency in an attempt to avoid a gas shortage for area retailers.

Authorities have declared emergencies in six states after discovering that fuel from the line, operated by Colonia Pipeline, had leaked into a nearby pond in Shelby County, Alabama on Sept. 9.

According to the latest statement issued by the company Sept. 17, officials began excavation operations to repair the impacted section on the pipeline and work is expected to continue over the weekend. The company expects the line to be fully restored by next week.

"The shutdown of this pipeline may result in gasoline supply disruptions to various retailers throughout the Commonwealth, since the pipeline is the only source of gasoline into Virginia for many of these retailers," McAuliffe wrote in the emergency declaration.

The company has said it is shipping gas on its secondary line to mitigate the service interruption. Engineers with the company are also exploring alternatives, including building a temporary segment of pipeline around the leak site to allow the line to return to service as rapidly and safely as possible.

The Virginia order will lessen some gas standards, allow wider and heavier gasoline trucks on the road and waive some requirements on truck registration and how many hours a truck driver works. State agencies will also be on alert for price gouging.

Includes reporting by Feroze Dhanoa. Image via Shutterstock