The Colonial Pipeline stands as a crucial component of the energy infrastructure in the United States, supplying almost 50% of the gasoline and diesel fuel used along the East Coast.
The Colonial Pipeline stands as a crucial component of the energy infrastructure in the United States, supplying almost 50% of the gasoline and diesel fuel used along the East Coast.
The Colonial Pipeline stands as a crucial component of the energy infrastructure in the United States, supplying almost 50% of the gasoline and diesel fuel used along the East Coast.
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The Colonial Pipeline, which is the largest fuel pipeline in the United States, has temporarily halted operations on its primary gasoline line due to a leak detected in Georgia, according to statements from the pipeline's operator and local authorities.
According to Stephen Dooley, the Director of Emergency Management for Paulding County, Line 1 of the 5,500-mile Colonial Pipeline experienced a “gasoline release.” Although Dooley mentioned that Colonial indicated the leak was “not an emergency event,” the pipeline has been temporarily shut down to facilitate repairs. At the location of the “release,” situated at Peg Cole Ridge Trail in Villa Rica, Georgia, numerous Colonial Pipeline vehicles were on-site as workers attempted to address the leak.
The Colonial Pipeline stands as a crucial component of the energy infrastructure in the United States, supplying almost 50% of the gasoline and diesel fuel used along the East Coast. The impacted pipeline, Line 1, is a vital part of the biggest pipeline system in the United States and carries 1.5 million barrels of fuel per day from Texas into North Carolina.
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"Colonial Pipeline is currently addressing a report regarding a possible gasoline leak along our right of way in Paulding County, Georgia," stated Colonial Pipeline Company spokesperson David Conti in a message to CNN. "We have temporarily halted operations on Line 1, our teams are on-site managing the response, and we have completed all necessary notifications."
According to a spokesperson for the Colonial Pipeline, there is currently no schedule in place for the resumption of Line 1, as reported by CNN.
Sara Lips, the spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, stated that the agency received its initial alert regarding the possible leak on Monday night.
"Lips stated that we are in the process of investigating the leak in collaboration with various federal and local authorities."
Dooly and the Paulding County Fire Department informed CNN that they became aware of the leak only on Tuesday afternoon, following inquiries from reporters after Colonial issued a press release. CNN has contacted Colonial Pipeline to inquire why the County was not informed beforehand, but has yet to receive a reply. Additionally, CNN reached out to the Environmental Protection Agency, but a response is still pending.
Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, mentioned that if the shutdown is brief, lasting just a few days, it probably won't lead to any significant issues. This is mainly due to the low demand typical for this season and the sufficient storage capacity available.
De Haan remarked, "If it extends beyond three to five days, that could pose a significant issue."
De Haan stated that approximately 90% of the gas station shortages during the 2021 Colonial Pipeline shutdown were attributed to panic-buying rather than the actual disruption of the pipeline.
"He mentioned that if individuals hurry to refuel their vehicles, it could potentially lead to an even bigger problem."
A cyberattack caused a crippling six-day shutdown in 2021 that sparked panic-buying and hoarding at gas stations in the Southeast.
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