NORTH CAROLINA — Governor Pat McCrory has already begun taking steps to help minimize the impact of the Colonial Pipeline disruption caused by Monday’s explosion near Helena, Alabama.
On Tuesday McCrory signed Executive Order 112 to help keep fuel supplies flowing throughout the state and help prevent price gouging.
“Our administration is taking all necessary precautions to reduce the impact of the pipeline disruption on North Carolina,” Governor McCrory said. “The Colonial Pipeline disruption is a transportation challenge, not a production challenge. With my executive order, we are waiving certain state requirements to facilitate truck transport of gasoline and to protect consumers from price gouging.”
This latest executive order extends E.O. 108 from Hurricane Matthew that makes it easier for trucking deliveries by limiting certain restrictions placed upon drivers as well as truck sizes and weights. It also extends protections for North Carolinians from price gouging at the pumps.
Governor McCrory says a Colonial Pipeline official confirmed that one line carrying diesel, jet fuel, and other fuels has been reopened and is running at a reduced capacity. Officials also say that the pipeline fire is still burning, and it could be 24 to 36 hours before crews will be able to access the site to inspect the damage. The site is said to be more accessible than the site of September’s pipeline leak.
Officials say impacts on North Carolina’s supply could be felt in some areas between Tuesday and Friday, but trucks will begin delivering gas on Wednesday to help limit those effects.
