Drivers in several U.S. cities are panicking as gas has seemingly become a rare commodity. The hack of the Colonial Pipeline has had an immediate and drastic impact on the gas supply. The Today show reports that 1700 gas stations from Florida to Maryland are out of fuel (watch above). The Washington Post writes:
The gas runs have helped empty 71 percent of the gas stations in Charlotte, according to Patrick De Haan, an oil analyst at GasBuddy, and 60 percent in Atlanta. At the state level, nearly 25 percent of the stations were without fuel in North Carolina. 15 percent in Virginia and Georgia, and 13 percent in South Carolina, De Haan said on Twitter.
Florida update:
73% of Pensacola stns no gasoline
44% of Tallahassee stns no gasoline
15% of Gainesville stns no gasoline
Rest of FL looking good— Patrick De Haan ⛽️📊 (@GasBuddyGuy) May 12, 2021
Videos like this show people waiting hours in line.
Drivers along the East Coast rushed to fill up their gas tanks Tuesday. This is all in response to the Colonial Pipeline cyber attack that happened last week, shutting down a major pipeline. The president has said there is no gas shortage, but drivers are still playing it safe. pic.twitter.com/H59mBV232g
— CBS Newspath (@cbsnewspath) May 11, 2021
CBS writes, “The Biden administration is imploring drivers not to hoard gasoline. The U.S. energy secretary urged motorists to not panic buy fuel and said officials are considering moving supply by train or ship if necessary.”
It’s clear something has to be done and fast. This is already having a ripple effect.
Gas shortages means trucks can’t fill up – supply chain issues. Better stock up on essential goods.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) May 11, 2021
The White House is responding with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm calling this a “supply crunch” not a shortage:
“Much as there was no cause for hoarding toilet paper at the beginning of the pandemic, there should be no cause for hoarding gasoline especially in light of the fact that pipeline should be substantially operational by the end of the this week and over the weekend,”
As we work to resolve the shutdown, the Department of @ENERGY will continue efforts to coordinate with partners throughout the federal government, industry, and states/local governments to support response efforts.
— Charisma Troiano (@ENERGYSpox) May 11, 2021