Colonial Pipeline Spill Affects Fleets Across Southeast

One of the largest pipelines in the country has received approval to restart operations after a leak earlier this month led to gasoline shortages and rising fuel prices across the Southeast.

The leak in Colonial Pipeline's main line was first discovered on Sept. 9. An estimated 6,000-8,000 barrels of gasoline were released at the site of the leak, according to Reuters.

Colonial Pipeline announced this week that the company was delivering gas to Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina — where customers were most affected. However, many fleets continued to plan for the possibility of a shortage in fuel. 

The City of Greensboro (N.C.) asked employees to conserve where possible and the City of Winston-Salem (N.C.) placed a ban on the use of city vehicles not used for emergencies or santation services, reported the Courier-Tribune.

Wake County and the City of Raleigh (N.C.) issued similar bans on non-essential vehicles, encouraging employees to carpool or use public transit, according to WRAL.

WNCN reported this week that first responders in North Carolina were stocking up on gasoline to ensure they could still perform their job despite local gas stations running out of supply.

DeKalb County (Ga.) started ordering fuel for its 29 fuel sites once tanks are half full, a change from ordering once they are 25% full, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Colonial Pipeline announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to restart operations through a bypass segment, which was completed yesterday.