Pipeline shutdown causes long lines in CSRA and rising prices for gas
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Rising prices and long lines at the gas pump. It’s safe to say we’re seeing the impacts of the colonial pipeline shutdown right here at home.
A cyber attack shut down the pipeline over the weekend. The White House says it’s monitoring the situation and plans to speak with Russia’s president about the hack.
On Tuesday, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson took steps to prevent price-gouging.
Here’s a look at where gas prices stand tonight according to Triple-A. In Georgia, the average is about $2.87 a gallon. In South Carolina, it’s at $2.74 a gallon. And take a look at the national average of nearly $3 a gallon.
The lines have been overwhelming at our local Costco. We have been there since this morning and it hasn’t slowed down a bit. The lines stretching all the way out of the parking lot. Many local gas stations say they aren’t concerned right now about running out of gas but if this continues to the weekend we could see these stations run out.
It’s long lines and a long wait just to fill up at our local gas stations.
“It was pretty amazing to see a 15, 20, 30-minute wait,” said Ed Umstead, a local driver.
That wait time means nothing to local drivers looking to top off their tanks after the colonial pipeline shut down.
“I saw first thing this morning that the pipeline was down and it was affecting the east coast so I made a decision I’m going to come fill my tank up today,” said Umstead.
And he’s not the only one. People bringing jugs out to Costco just to make sure they have enough to last through the shutdown. Gas attendants say these lines are usually half of these drivers and they’re burning through fuel right now. That’s the case all around the area.
“I think mostly people are in a panic mode because they saw the news and they don’t understand the full scope of it. I don’t think there’s a gas shortage but the supply issues right now for the fuel coming from Texas to the fuel terminals right now,” said Hardeep Singh, manager of Brodie’s.
That panic is driving up the fuel costs too. Most of the fuel coming from the North Augusta Plant.
“If our fuel suppliers need to go to the coast which bumps up the price of the fuel because they have to on the freight cost to people,” he said.
Local gas stations say those prices will likely remain high until the pipeline turns back on. For now, many drivers say they will continue to prepare for the worse.
“I think everyone has the same mindset that I have. Gotta get it while you can in case something does happen,” said Umstead.
Colonial Pipeline says they are continuing to work on getting their lines back up and running. They say it could be up as early as Thursday or Friday but again if that doesn’t happen we could see our local gas stations begin to run out of gas quickly.
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