CHARLOTTE, NC — Officials with AAA said Tuesday that Charlotte should expect to see rising gas prices after a part of the Colonial Pipeline exploded in Alabama Monday afternoon.
Lines 1 and 2 of the pipeline were shutdown Monday after an explosion in Shelby County, Alabama. The shutdown could lead to the same gas shortages that the Carolinas and other southeastern states saw during the shutdown in September, according to officials.
Experts with AAA Carolinas say prices rose by 20 and 30 cents in some areas, and pumps were bagged at many stations due to shortages during the September shutdown.
The 12 day shutdown caused Southeastern states to rely on long-distance truck and waterborne deliveries which dramatically slowed down fuel delivery. Officials say this incident could result in the same situations, and there is no current estimate on when pipeline service may be restored.
