Pipeline spill causes gas price spike in southeastern states
Michael Blackwood, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Michael Blackwood.
Last weekend, most of the southeast saw an increase in gas prices as many gas stations, and some cities, ran out of gas due to a leak in a pipeline run by Colonial Pipeline Co. The pipeline runs from New Jersey to Houston, Texas and supplies fuel to the entire southeast. The leak essentially shut down shipments to the area for close to two weeks.
Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee governors declared states of emergency to enact price gouging laws and ensure gas availability. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley issued two executive orders over the past two weeks; both were to override federal laws on size and driving time restrictions for tankers.
One student at North Greenville, Abbey Blackwood, saw prices over $8s per gallon at a gas station in Boiling Springs, S,C. However, most stations in SC have maintained prices under $2.50.
On Tuesday, Sept. 21, Colonial Pipeline Co. announced that it had finished a 500 ft. bypass and that gasoline supplies should begin to return to normal.
