Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Business Law
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • Coronavirus 2020
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Vote Now for Women in Leadership
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read the issue
    • Order a copy
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Nominate execs for 2021

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Home News Northam declares state of emergency related to gas pipeline shutdown

Northam declares state of emergency related to gas pipeline shutdown

Says current reserves are sufficient for short shutdown

Published May 11, 2021 by Kate Andrews

Gov. Ralph Northam speaks at his May 6, 2021, news conference.

Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Tuesday, five days after the Colonial Pipeline was shut down due to a cyber-attack. The Texas pipeline is the primary source of gasoline for many retailers in Virginia and elsewhere on the East Coast, so its prolonged closure would interrupt distribution of gas to the state, the order says.

According to Northam’s executive order, “While current gasoline reserves in the commonwealth are sufficient to address immediate supply concerns, a long-term disruption in the pipelines will require transportation of fuel and other oil-derivatives via interstate and state roadways,” and the state of emergency will allow the state to use an emergency fuel waiver to help alleviate potential fuel shortages.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan issued the waiver, in effect through May 18, earlier Tuesday for Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Pennsylvania.

According to the EPA, Regan determined that “extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored.”

In Virginia, 8% of gas stations had run out of gas as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, although that’s likely due more to panic buying than an actual shortage, according to GasBuddy, which tracks gas prices nationwide. Governors of North Carolina and Georgia have also taken steps to alleviate a future shortage and rising fuel prices.

Northam’s order, which also activates a state law against price gouging, is in full effect until June 10 unless rescinded by a later order. The order implements a state emergency operations plan and assistance from state emergency management teams to state, local and tribal governments. It also authorizes the heads of executive branch agencies to waive normal regulations and “enter into contracts without regard to normal procedures or formalities.”

“This emergency declaration will help the commonwealth prepare for any potential supply shortages and ensure Virginia motorists have access to fuel as we respond to this evolving situation,” Northam said in a statement.

Attorney Gen. Mark Herring’s office said Wednesday morning that if consumers believe they’re a victim of price gouging specific to motor fuel, they can call the state’s consumer protection hotline or contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th, urged anyone who sees “exceptionally high-priced gas” to call the Virginia attorney general’s consumer protection hotline at (800) 552-9963. “I am aware of a suspected case of price gouging in my district and there may well be others. Price gouging is illegal.” McEachin also advised people not to “panic and fill their gas tanks if it’s not needed. This creates long lines at the pump and contributes to heightened feelings of panic and concern and could potentially artificially create shortages.”

McEachin added that the pipeline is expected to be back up and functioning by the end of the week, although he hopes the federal government will “thoroughly investigate this hacking and to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

On Monday, the FBI said a group of criminal hackers called DarkSide are to blame for a ransomware attack that disrupted about half of gasoline and jet fuel supplies to the East Coast, according to The New York Times.

Subscribe to Virginia Business. Get our daily e-newsletter.

Related Stories

Virginia Business logo

Va. directs $34M to clean energy projects

Purchases include electric vehicles and replacing diesel cargo handling equipment at Port of Va.

Virginia Business logo

Va. extends income tax deadline to May 17

State follows IRS' lead in delaying filing, payment date

Va. finalizes $3.7B rail expansion agreement

VRE, Amtrak, CSX sign agreement to increase passenger service, east-west rail

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk