The Colonial Pipeline gas leak

angelburst29

The Living Force
As Native Americans protesters face arrest in North Dakota for blocking the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, TheAntiMedia's Carey Wedler reports a gasoline pipeline spill is currently unfolding in the South. The leak has prompted Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to declare states of emergency.

Alabama, Tennessee, & Georgia Declare States Of Emergency As Gas Shortages Loom After Pipeline Leak
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-16/why-east-coast-gas-prices-are-about-explode

The Colonial Pipeline, which runs from Houston to New York, began leaking on September 9, spilling 250,000 gallons of gasoline, or 6,000 barrels. The pipeline was built in 1962, and the current leak in Helena, Alabama, is the largest one Colonial Pipeline has experienced in 20 years, Reuters noted.

As CNN reports, The major pipeline, one pipe of which has been severed, provides gasoline for an estimated 50 million people on the East Coast each day, according to company estimates. The cause of the leak has yet to be determined, according to the company's most recent statement.

The pipeline's operator has said full service will not be restored until at least next week. The closure has set off an industry-wide scramble as suppliers seek alternative ways to transport gasoline to the East Coast.

According to reports, the leak will likely start affecting drivers in the nearby states of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina within a matter of hours and may spread in coming days. Colonial Pipeline Co., which transports some 40% of the gas along the I-95 corridor says at least 250,000 gallons of gasoline have already been lost.

Senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan warned that some stations may run out as primary gasoline transportation shipping routes along the East coast have been temporarily closed.

Not every station will be able to get the gasoline it needs, he said.

“You’re going to see some places without gasoline,” he said. “It’s like a mini-hurricane.”

The pipeline operator said that based on its current projections, parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina will be the first markets to suffer potential supply disruptions.

And sure enough the price of East Coast gasoline is soaring relative to the slide in West Coast... (4month highs for East Coast vs 1-month lows for West Coast)

As SHTFPlan's Mac Slavo notes, the massive pipeline leak in Alabama is threatening widespread gas shortages and significant price hikes on the East Coast of the United States. Though the leak reportedly poses no danger to the public, officials say it stands to affect drivers all along the I-95 corridor from Florida to Maine.

If you live in any of the aforementioned states then you may want to head to your local gas station and fill up the tanks. Though any shortages will be temporary, not being able to get gas for several days or a week could prove troublesome to the 50 million residents served by the Colonial pipeline. The shortage may also impact grocery store deliveries, so if you have any essential items you absolutely must have it may be a good idea to pick those up before trucks stop delivering.

The declared states of emergency highlight the fragility of just-in-time delivery systems that include critical goods like gasoline, food and medicine. As we’ve previously noted, even a small emergency could wreak havoc on a local, state or nationwide basis with immediate and catastrophic consequences for the populace.

Mansfield Oil, a fuel distributor, has warned its customers to take fuel savings measures and to place their orders early. The company said the supply of gasoline is currently very thin along the closed pipeline, and that it was trucking in supplies from the coast to meet demand. The company said it was treating the situation "with the same importance and urgency as a natural disaster."


This whole situation keeps getting worse and worse. It seems to be growing by the day. When Colonial Pipeline originally announced the leak, it was reported that a mere 1,000 barrels of gas had leaked, or said another way, approximately 45,0000 gallons. It was then increased to 250,000 gallons – more than a 5 fold increase. Now it has reached more than an 8 fold increase from the original estimate. Do they actually know how much damage has been done and do they know how much gas has leaked out?

Gas Leak 30% WORSE Than Being widely Reported – “No one is exactly sure when the pipeline will be completely fixed.”
http://thedailycoin.org/2016/09/17/gas-leak-50-worse-than-being-widely-reported-no-one-is-exactly-sure-when-the-pipeline-will-be-completely-fixed/

The Sept. 9 break has leaked 6,000 barrels (approximately 250,000 gallons) of fuel into Shelby County, Alabama, the operator estimated, up from its original estimation of 1,000 barrels. The cause of the leak is currently unclear. Source

The more I dig into this gas pipeline leak situation the worse it gets.

As we reported yesterday the Colonial Pipeline that pumps gasoline from Houston, Tx to southern New York state became damaged on Friday September 9, 2016. Major news sources didn’t begin reporting this incident until Tuesday, September 13, 2016 and national news services first reported on it beginning Friday September 16, 2016 a full week later.

Somewhere between regional news and national news coverage of a 250,000 gallon leak in south central Alabama the governors of Alabama and Georgia announce there is a state of emergency. The leak is outside Birmingham, Al and the gas would have some area to cover to reach Georgia. So far this whole situation is beginning to smell funny and it’s not just the gas fumes.

As reported by CNN: A section of the Colonial Pipeline, which runs from Houston to New York, has been closed since Sept. 9 after a spill of roughly 250,000 gallons was discovered in rural Shelby County, Ala.

The major pipeline, one pipe of which has been severed, provides gasoline for an estimated 50 million people on the East Coast each day, according to company estimates. The cause of the leak has yet to be determined, according to the company’s most recent statement.

Then we find this tweet from Javier Blas, Chief Energy Correspondent at Bloomberg News. I write about oil, gas, mining, agriculture and commodities.

Leak From Biggest US #Gasoline Pipeline Sparks Supplier 'Red Alert' http://bloom.bg/2cqQot5 @laurablewitt #oil #oott pic.twitter.com/qycVd6AJq6

This is a VERY, VERY, VERY big deal: 900k b/d of #gasoline supply to US East Coast missing because of #Colonial pipeline shutdown #OOTT (MAP)

“The thing is that there is a time pressure. No one is exactly sure when the pipeline will be completely fixed,” Patricia Hemsworth, senior vice president at Paragon Global Markets in New York, said by message.

Colonial is delivering some gasoline through a pipe that typically carries jet fuel and diesel, though the company hasn’t said how much. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency temporarily lifted requirements on fuel quality amid what it described as “extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstance,” and Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina governors lifted rules that limit how many hours fuel truckers can work. A tanker carrying fuel from the Houston area to New York has been rerouted to Savannah, Georgia, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

Red Alert

North American fuel distributor Mansfield Oil Co. on Thursday urged its customers to take fuel-saving measures over the next week and place orders early as its supply distribution network was impacted from Mississippi to Maryland.

“Mansfield’s Supply and Logistics Teams are meeting daily and treating this situation with the same importance and urgency as a natural disaster and moving to Red Alert,” the company said in its online daily newsletter to customers.

Prices may rise as much as 15 cents a gallon over the next week in parts of the eastern U.S. due to the shutdown, Patrick DeHaan, an analyst with GasBuddy, said in a tweet.

“It’s likely to get worse before it gets any better,” he said by phone. “It’s really a race against the clock — will there be gasoline available to replenish those terminals before they draw down?”

Retailers in Nashville and Atlanta were required to sell summer-grade gasoline, which carries a lower vapor pressure than fuels used in the winter, through Thursday. The EPA is waiving the federal mandates to distribute the fuel with low volatility amid the regional shortages.

And now we learn the situation has moved to a “Red Alert” status. You know I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but whenever someone uses the phrase “Red Alert” that usually gets my undivided attention.

So far this is what we know.
•250,000 gallons of gas leaked out of severed pipeline that supplies gas to 50 million people
•spill could actually be 336,000 gallons a full 30% more than is being widely reported
•the accident occurred approximately 4 days before the first reports began hitting the wire and a full week to hit national coverage
•the situation has moved to a “Red Alert” and the repairs are ongoing and it is unclear when they will be complete
•the states of Alabama and Georgia have declared a state of emergency

Now we learn there is 30% more gasoline on the ground, which makes sense, otherwise, what does Georgia have to do with a gas spill in south central Alabama?

According to AL.com: The latest update from Colonial Pipeline states that federal, state and company officials have cleared crews to begin the excavation process, which they had not previously been able to do because of the dangerous conditions created by pooled gasoline and fumes.

Colonial Pipeline also raised its estimate of the size of the spill. The company announced last week that the spill leaked around 6,000 barrels of gasoline, which is 252,000 gallons. They now say the leak is likely between 6,000 and 8,000 barrels, which is 336,000 gallons. A barrel is 42 gallons.

The pipeline was shut down Sept. 9, when the leak was confirmed. Colonial says the flow of the leak is greatly diminished, and temporary plugs have been installed on either side of the leak to minimize the impact.

Got preps? If you live anywhere along the East Coast between Houston and southern New York state and as far west as Nashville, Tn I would strongly suggest picking up a couple of 5 gallon gas containers and getting them filled right away. Of course, you should do this when you fill the tank of your vehicle(s). Good luck everyone and hopefully the lies will begin to subside and we can find out what exactly is going on – how bad the damage really is and when this pipeline will return to full service. In the meantime, it might be wise to gather as much gas as possible.
 
Here is a map that shows where the leak is:
It appears as if the pipeline could still have gas in it.
_http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-16/why-east-coast-gas-prices-are-about-explode
As Native Americans protesters face arrest in North Dakota for blocking the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, TheAntiMedia's Carey Wedler reports a gasoline pipeline spill is currently unfolding in the South. The leak has prompted Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to declare states of emergency.

The Colonial Pipeline, which runs from Houston to New York, began leaking on September 9, spilling 250,000 gallons of gasoline, or 6,000 barrels. The pipeline was built in 1962, and the current leak in Helena, Alabama, is the largest one Colonial Pipeline has experienced in 20 years, Reuters noted.

20160916_gas1.jpg

AL.com reported that according to the Colonial Pipeline company’s spokesperson, Bill Berry, the pipeline could still be leaking:

“The leaking pipeline was shut down [last] Friday after the leak was discovered, but Berry said there may be additional gas still inside the pipeline. The leaking section of pipeline hasn’t been excavated yet due to safety precautions, so Berry said the condition of the pipeline and cause of the leak is still unknown.”
20160916_gas_0.jpg


Hundreds of employees and contract workers face health risks from inhaling vapor as they work overtime to clean up the spill, which the company says is contained to a mining retention pond. AL.com reports “the leak was discovered at the inactive mine site by employees of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission.”

The governors of Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama have declared states of emergency, not due to environmental concerns, but over the gas shortage that will result from the leak. After Colonial Pipeline announced Thursday there would be a delay in restarting the pipeline because “work activity was intermittent overnight due to unfavorable weather conditions that caused gasoline vapors to settle over the site,” the price of gasoline futures rose six percent... even as crude futures prices tumbled...
[...]
 
Here in Western North Carolina the fear is setting in. Reports of folks waiting in 30-40 minute lines at gas stations, and prices rising by 30 cents today. Many stations are actually out of gas, and some are saying they may not get gas trucks for up to 10 days. :scared:
 
CNS said:
Here in Western North Carolina the fear is setting in. Reports of folks waiting in 30-40 minute lines at gas stations, and prices rising by 30 cents today. Many stations are actually out of gas, and some are saying they may not get gas trucks for up to 10 days. :scared:

ASHEVILLE - Widespread Panic may have been performing Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center, but motorists throughout the state panicked at the thought of running out of gas and not having the chance to fill up their tanks to drive to work or take their children to school this upcoming week.

Asheville to see an uptick in gas prices, possible shortage
http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2016/09/17/nc-sees-gas-shortage-state-emergency-declared/90572934/

Lines of drivers could be seen bumper-to-bumper winding around several gas station parking lots throughout Asheville. Some lines extended onto streets such as Merrimon Avenue or Amboy Road and blocked traffic.

A handful of service stations capped how much gas people could put in their cars, limiting motorists to 10 gallons or $20 worth of fuel. Several service stations were forced to put red plastic bags over their pumps because they ran out of gas.

A representative from Ingles confirmed that several of their stations had run out of gas Saturday morning. Information was not available regarding specific locations.

A shortage in fuel and uptick in gas prices have been caused by a pipeline spill in Alabama that released 250,000 gallons Sept. 9.

The leak is centered in Helena, Alabama, about a half-hour south of Birmingham. The gas line, which runs from Houston to New York, travels through Alabama and Georgia. It then takes a small swing through South Carolina and North Carolina as it snakes right through Charlotte and Greensboro.

Colonial Pipeline Co. doesn’t expect to fully reopen its primary gasoline pipeline until next week, but crews are continuing work to repair it.

Colonial said supply disruptions would be felt first in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Locals react The market and consumers have had a knee jerk reaction, AAA Carolinas spokeswoman Tiffany Wright said.

"Folks are getting nervous and people are in a panic. That will possibly cause a shortage, but we have enough supplies domestically."

It's a matter of juggling distributors to refuel service stations that run out, she added.

The leak will most likely cause a delay in distribution providers across the country.

"A gas station that gets their gas on a Monday might take till Wednesday to get gas," Wright said.

Wright compared the desperate need people feel to get gas to when people brace for a winter storm.

"It's just like when people flock to the grocery store to get bread and milk," Wright said. "A panic creates shortage."

Shavarma Williams waited in line Saturday at a gas station on Amboy Road, just west of the River Arts District, after a frantic friend called and told her to fill up before gas ran out.

"I need to get back and forth to work," she said. "I heard this morning that there was a shortage and I didn't think it was that serious until my friend called. Now I'm here to get fuel."

One local business, Asheville Pizza and Brewing, stopped their delivery service until further notice due to the potential shortages in gas.

"We feel that feeding people is important, but using gas that seems a little frivolous without knowing if we are going to be out of gas for four or five days," co-partner Mike Rangel said. "We definitely don’t want to but feel if people are having a tough time getting gas to get their kids to school, then this might not be the best usage for it right now."

The restaurant will update its website once it resumes delivery service, Rangel said.

Hike in price Gasbuddy.com predicted prices could go up 15 cents or more a gallon in North Carolina due to the shortage in supply.

The average price of regular grade gas across the state rose by 5 cents between Sept. 9, when the pipeline was shut down, and Friday, according to GasBuddy. By 4 p.m. Saturday the average price in Asheville was $2.19.

Prices could jump 5-20 cents overnight between Saturday and Sunday, said Wright.

Wright, who lives in Charlotte, observed that the gas station near her home increased its price by 4 cents between Friday and Saturday.

Consumers' wallets will feel the burn if they are visiting or living in Asheville, since it's a tourist destination and typically has higher prices compared with other cities in the state, she said.

"Asheville folks should brace themselves because they will see an uptick," Wright said.

Between Friday and Saturday, at least 15 gas stations across the city had a spike in its prices, according to Gasbuddy. Prices jumped from around $2.04 and $2.07 up to $2.27 to $2.69.

A Shell station on Hendersonville Road hiked its price to $2.69 by Saturday afternoon, whereas a Shell station on Biltmore Avenue remained at $2.07, the website reported. (Article continues.)


Gas leak stokes fears of fuel shortage in NC (Video)
http://abc11.com/news/gas-leak-stokes-fears-of-fuel-shortage-in-nc/1515001/

RALEIGH (WTVD) --
Gov. Pat McCrory issued an Executive Order after a gas leak at a major east coast pipeline stoked fears of a fuel shortage in North Carolina.
 
The pipeline leak is just another sign of an ailing infrastructure. It was built in 1962. The US wars since 9/11 2001 has cost $5 trillion and that is money that has not been available for infrastructure maintenance, health, education etc.

Regarding infrastructure: https://www.sott.net/article/291631-Cincinnati-bridge-collapse-another-example-of-US-crumbling-infrastructure

...one of nine bridges in the U.S. is in fact structurally deficient and nearly a quarter are functionally obsolete, Sanders said - illustrating his point: "For many years we have underfunded the maintenance of our nation's physical infrastructure. That has to change. It is time to rebuild America."

In 2013, the American Civil Society of Engineers gave the U.S. a D+ grade on its infrastructure, estimating that $3.6 trillion in investment was necessary to fix the nation's highways, dams, rail and aviation systems, and more.

The nuclear power plants are also in need of updates or closing down with many having been built in the 1960'ies and 70'ies. One way to fix it has been to change the rule book and just give an extension and 74 of the 100 nuclear reactors operating in the US had by october 2014 gotten a 20 year extension. Link: _https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_the_United_States

There could well come a time, when one would be happy if it only is a pipeline that leaks. :scared:
 
Aeneas said:
Here is a map that shows where the leak is:
It appears as if the pipeline could still have gas in it.
_http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-16/why-east-coast-gas-prices-are-about-explode
As Native Americans protesters face arrest in North Dakota for blocking the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, TheAntiMedia's Carey Wedler reports a gasoline pipeline spill is currently unfolding in the South. The leak has prompted Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to declare states of emergency.

The Colonial Pipeline, which runs from Houston to New York, began leaking on September 9, spilling 250,000 gallons of gasoline, or 6,000 barrels. The pipeline was built in 1962, and the current leak in Helena, Alabama, is the largest one Colonial Pipeline has experienced in 20 years, Reuters noted.

20160916_gas1.jpg

AL.com reported that according to the Colonial Pipeline company’s spokesperson, Bill Berry, the pipeline could still be leaking:

“The leaking pipeline was shut down [last] Friday after the leak was discovered, but Berry said there may be additional gas still inside the pipeline. The leaking section of pipeline hasn’t been excavated yet due to safety precautions, so Berry said the condition of the pipeline and cause of the leak is still unknown.”


There's now reports that Tennessee is experiencing some gas shortages at the pump.

I was first drawn to this report because my Parent's have - not one but two (side by side) of these Gas Pipelines running through their property. The first one was commissioned back in the early 1950's and the second one was installed recently - about two years ago. The property owners have very little say in the matter. If you don't take what the Corporate Lawyer's offer, as settlement for the land they steal to lay these pipes, which amounts to pennies on a dollar, they illegally claim "imminent domain" and you get nothing. Plus, you can get fined for trespassing on your own land, so to speak? There is a large clearance on each side of the pipeline, which is wide enough for a double wide construction vehicle, (forget how many feet) in the event repairs need to be done. Every two weeks in the Summer and once every 30 days in the Winter, a helicopter flies low - following the line for any leaks. If a property owner happens to notice some thing out of the ordinary, we have a number to call that patches directly into Corporate Office. Although this pipeline isn't owned by Colonial, I would imagine, they have the same format in place for checking their lines because of the constant high pressure that flows through the system?

A few things on these reports of the Colonial Pipeline leak seems out of place. First suspicion is the date they arrived at - that the leak began on that magical 911? Yet, it's reported,“The leaking pipeline was shut down [last] Friday after the leak was discovered,..." Sept 11th is a Sunday - and the Friday (before) was the 9th or are they referring to Friday the 16th but the first media reports came out on Thursday the 15th?
(AL.com and Zerohedge.com).

I can consider "an accident" as one possibility but on the other hand, I have reasonable doubt. In the back of my mind - there have been numerous conspiracy rumors running amok over the past few years of "gas prices reaching close to ten dollars a gallon during a Winter season" to disruptions in transit of durable and market goods with empty grocery store shelves? Months ago, there were reports of Docker's strikes and low volume of goods coming into Port, in Long Beach California and Ports in New Jersey. We are faced with a Presidential Election in November - that is totally screwed up! The U.S. and it's Pentagon buddies just screwed up in Syria! Economically, our Dollar has tanked and we're on the verge of being "an Official" Police State? The timing of this Colonial gas leak - sounds suspicious - along with the details?

Looking at the map above and noting the route the gas pipeline runs, in some cases, only several hundred miles from the Coastal line, brings another situation to mind. The words, Defense in Depth. A news report surfaced on Sept. 15 (link below) on Arizona residents complaints, about Border Patrol checkpoints placed 100 miles inland. The Border of Patrol Agents are using "Defense in Depth" to defend their position Although this situation deals with illegal crossings from the Mexican Border, the mechanism is already in place for check points - up to 100 miles "inland" from every Coastal water line. If memory serves me, Prez Bush the Younger - signed the Exec. Order for "Defense in Depth"? It was to be supervised by Homeland Security. (Feel safer, now?) Looking at how this gas pipeline runs through all these States and the possibility of dealing with gas shortages, which restrict movement and then looking at the map again - with 100 miles "inland" from the Coast locations, the area between the pipeline and the 100 mile border division line is very narrow? That's scary! (I hope my mind is working overtime on all this and I'm totally wrong?)

Despite assurances from Gov. Bill Haslam Friday that there is not a current shortage of fuel following a massive gas leak in Alabama, consumers are reporting that several gas stations have run out of petroleum.

Sporadic gas shortages reported around Nashville (Video)
http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/09/16/tennessee-gas-prices-could-affected-alabama-leak/90508300/

Despite assurances from Gov. Bill Haslam Friday that there is not a current shortage of fuel following a massive gas leak in Alabama, consumers are reporting that several gas stations have run out of petroleum.

Earlier in the day, Haslam issued an executive order waiving hourly limits on fuel truck drivers in order to maintain adequate gas supply in Tennessee as a "precautionary measure as we are not currently seeing any widespread unavailability of petroleum in Tennessee.”

“We urge Tennesseans to maintain their normal fuel purchasing and driving patterns to help prevent any potential impacts on our fuel supply while the pipeline undergoes repairs,” he said.

The hours of service waiver will pay off immediately in terms of more fuel brought into the area,” said Emily LeRoy, executive director of the Tennessee Fuel and Convenience Store Association, in a statement. “Our member companies continue to deliver fuel to gas stations and convenience stores in Tennessee, but they are driving farther to get the fuel.”

But on Friday evening, lines of those looking to refuel were several cars long, likely contributing to the shortage.

Mapco on Madison Street was also out of gas this morning, and this evening, a Mapco at Warfield and Ted Crozier had only premium gas. A Shell on Rossview Road also had no gas available as of 5 p.m. Three Clarksville gas stations were low on fuel today.

Kay Hill, who was buying gas today in Clarksville, said she had seen prices climb within a short window of time on Friday, jumping from $1.99 a gallon to $2.19.

"They are saying the shortage is because of the leakage," she said. "It takes away from my groceries that I could buy to get gas. I'm getting gas now because I know in another two hours the price is going to go up again."

Tennessee’s price gouging laws, which are triggered when a disaster is declared by the state or federal government, make it illegal for individuals and businesses to charge unreasonable prices for essential goods and services including gasoline.

According to the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management, businesses can be fined $1,000 for each act of price gouging.

A Citgo station on Nolensville Pike was up to $2.39 per gallon as of 7 p.m. Friday evening and a Shell station on Cool Springs Boulevard posted signs saying it could only sell premium gas at $3.19.

Two residents of Southern Arizona appeared before a Congressional committee in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday and testified that their communities have become more dangerous because of a Border Patrol strategy known as “Defense in Depth.”

Arizona residents complain about Border Patrol checkpoints placed 100 miles inland
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2016/09/15/arizona-residents-complain-about-border-patrol-checkpoints-placed-100-miles/

Under the program, the U.S. Border Patrol sets up checkpoints up to 100 miles from the border with Mexico.

[...] The U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mark Morgan testified in support of the Defense in Depth, stating that it allows the agency to maximize its limited resources “to increase our ability to rapidly respond to threats and to strengthen enforcement.”
 
Hopefully tropical storm Karl does not turn into a full blown hurricane during all of this. _https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/tropical-depression-twelve-tropical-storm-karl-hurricane
 
Horseofadifferentcolor said:
Hopefully tropical storm Karl does not turn into a full blown hurricane during all of this. _https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/tropical-depression-twelve-tropical-storm-karl-hurricane

At this time, it seems unlikely that Karl will impact the U.S. coastline directly. That said, this is very far out in time forecast changes are possible. Stay tuned for updates in the days ahead.

Gee, you know, I never gave "weather" a thought in all this and that it's Hurricane season? Thanks for bringing that topic up, Horseofadifferentcolor! If Karl hits the coastline hard enough, it would be an added headache for some folks.

In the meantime, gas prices are going up in some areas and there's a report of them "building a temporary pipeline"?

Gas prices increasing across metro Atlanta (Video)
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/gas-prices-expected-to-jump-again-sunday/447103866

ATLANTA - Gas prices are expected to jump again Sunday as more stations across the metro area experience spotty outages caused by a broken pipeline in Alabama.

That pipeline is one of two major pipelines that sends gas from Texas to New York, supplying much of north Georgia.

A leak earlier this week led to a complete shutdown, causing a major disruption of fuel shipments.

Several QT gas stations in the metro area are currently out of gas. Other stations Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach checked in midtown Sunday morning did have fuel, but prices are up.

Suppliers are having a tough time keeping up with demand, causing the prices to spike.

Sunday morning, the metro average is $2.41 a gallon for regular, up a quarter from a week ago.

Station drops prices

After several complaints about a station in Dallas charging $4.59 for regular gas, an employee says the owner dropped the prices back down.

Still, many drivers remained frustrated and said they felt like they were being taken advantage of.

“It’s price-gouging. Taking advantage of the situation. It’s the only place that’s got (gas) in our area and we’re on empty,” one driver said.

Another gas station in south Fulton County was charging $3.99 until our photographer showed up and began asking questions. Minutes later, the station dropped its prices down to $2.59. Gehlbach spoke with the owner on the phone who said an employee had a misunderstanding when he raised the price and it never should have been that high.

State of Emergency issued

Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency, but for the “limited purpose” of suspending caps on the hours fuel truck drivers can work.

The move is intended to keep them on the roads longer to “ensure the uninterrupted supply” of gas while the pipeline is fixed, according to the order.

Price-gouging law

The State of Emergency does not include a price control for gas at this time.

Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland says that unless the governor expands the State of Emergency, which would trigger price-gouging enforcement, gas stations are not doing anything illegal by raising prices.

Channel 2 Action News has contacted the Governor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office to ask if something will be put into place, but has not heard back.

The state of North Carolina has put its price-gouging law into effect.

Experts: No need to panic

A representative from AAA who tracks fuel prices says we'll likely see spotty outages at stations until the pipeline is fixed and back open, which is expected later this week.

"The analysts that we've spoken to really say there's enough gas supply available; however, it’s tightened up a little bit, so it's gonna take a little longer for those trucks getting to the stations, filling back up and that gasoline being available for motorists,” Garrett Townsend said.

Experts say there's no need to panic or rush out to buy gas. They say that is what may be causing some of the outages.

"This is really what we hope is just a blip in a radar and those prices will continue to retreat through the fall, which is normally what they do,” Townsend said.

Company building temporary pipeline

Colonial Pipeline says it is beginning construction of a temporary pipeline that will bypass the leaking section of its main gasoline pipeline in Shelby County, Alabama.

Colonial gave no timetable Saturday as to when that bypass line would be completed or what path it would take, the Associated Press reported.

Fuel supplies in at least five states — Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas — were threatened by the spill, and the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered the company responsible to take corrective action before the fuel starts flowing again.

The company has acknowledged that between 252,000 gallons and 336,000 gallons of gasoline leaked from a pipeline near Helena, Alabama, since the spill was first detected Sept. 9. It's unclear when the spill actually started.

EMERGENCY DECLARED/ALABAMA/GEORGIA/GASOLINE SHORTAGE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgNT4pXVmjE
BPEarthWatch
 
Retail gasoline prices surged due to continuing problems with Colonial Pipeline Co’s gasoline line that carries fuel to the U.S. East Coast, as the company started to construct a bypass line around the leak.

Gasoline prices spike as Colonial begins bypass around damaged line
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pipeline-operations-colonial-co-alaba-idUSKCN11O0XS

Colonial said on Saturday evening that it would construct a bypass that circumvents the leak, which occurred more than a week ago in Shelby County, Alabama. It is unclear when construction will be completed but the company has previously said it anticipates reopening the line, which can carry up to 1.2 million barrels of gasoline a day, later this week.

The volume of the spill is estimated to be between 6,000 and 8,000 barrels.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Georgia rose to $2.26 as of Sunday morning, according motorists’ advocacy group AAA, up more than six cents overnight and more than 15 cents in a week. Prices were up 4 cents in North Carolina to $2.136 and 4 cents in South Carolina to $2.011.

Local media reports have shown gasoline lines forming across the U.S. Southeast due to the shutdown and analysts believe that retail prices could be affected for more than two weeks. New York gasoline futures are up 9 percent in the past week, and rose 0.68 percent to $1.4715 a gallon after the market opened for trading at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday (0000 GMT Monday).

Colonial shut its main gasoline and distillate lines that run from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast on Sept. 9 after the leak was discovered. The damaged Line 1 can carry 1.2 million barrels of gasoline per day and runs from Houston to Greensboro, North Carolina.
 
We were able to get gas today for $2.21, but had to wait in line for almost 30 mins. Three days ago at the same gas station it was $2.06, but for 2 days that particular station was completely out. There were 2 stations in the entire county today that actually had gas, and it was only the regular unleaded. I am pretty sure that at this point the shortage is only due to the panic, that the real shortage is reported to be in 7-10 days. Saturday night we took all the cars (3) to a local station (which now has no gas), filled them up, and filled 3 five gallon containers, so I think we will be alright. Oh, and we are conserving our driving as much as possible. ;)

http://www.twcnews.com/nc/triangle-sandhills/news/2016/09/19/colonial-pipeline-leak-causing-gas-shortages-in-north-carolina.html


NORTH CAROLINA -- Gas stations in North Carolina continue to feel the impact of a Colonial Pipeline leak.

Five states including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas have run into issues with their gas supply due to the leak.

Colonial Pipeline says somewhere between 250,000 and 336,000 gallons of gas have leaked since Sept. 9 when the leak was first discovered.

Many gas stations across North Carolina now have bags over the pumps and signs saying they are out of gas.

Drivers scrambled to fill up over the weekend once news of the possible shortage started to spread. Many stations that do have gas have been slammed with people waiting in lines to top off their tanks.

Sheetz stations specifically use the Colonial Pipeline for their gas. Signs were posted on their pumps over the weekend, explaining the shortage.

On Sunday Gov. Pat McCrory issued a statement:

"Based on our ongoing updates from Colonial, the construction of a bypass pipeline is moving forward which will soon allow fuel supply operations to return to normal. In the meantime, my executive orders remain in effect to protect motorists from excessive gas prices and minimize any interruptions in the supply of fuel."

Colonial Pipeline says it is building a temporary pipeline that will essentially bypass the leak in an effort to expedite getting fuel supplies back to normal. The company is now trucking and bringing in fuel on barges from other markets along the Gulf Coast.

Petroleum Transport Terminal Manager Tommy Lowe says currently Greensboro's tank farm is virtually empty.

"We're looking at a week to 10 days before the product will actually get here. They've got to get it in, settled out, and then they'll turn it loose," said Lowe. "It's going to take a period of time when the product gets here to get the tank levels back up. We're looking at roughly two weeks to get things back to normal."

AAA says the state is seeing higher gas prices because of the leak. The state's average price of gasoline is $2.16, up from last week's average of $2.05.
 
As Native Americans protesters face arrest in North Dakota for blocking the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, TheAntiMedia's Carey Wedler reports a gasoline pipeline spill is currently unfolding in the South. The leak has prompted Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to declare states of emergency.

The Colonial Pipeline, which runs from Houston to New York, began leaking on September 9, spilling 250,000 gallons of gasoline, or 6,000 barrels. The pipeline was built in 1962, and the current leak in Helena, Alabama, is the largest one Colonial Pipeline has experienced in 20 years, Reuters noted.

Whereas the Colonial Pipeline leak has given more clout to the Native Americans protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, these revelations have now appeared:
Native Americans Document Hundreds of Pipeline Leaks and Oil Spills Kept Secret by North Dakota Government

North Dakota’s oil frenzy is leaking like a sieve. You most likely have not heard about it because fracking companies, pipeline owners, and state officials have been keeping information about hundreds of oil spills secret for years.

According to Natives News, After a huge spill of more than 20,000 barrels on a wheat farm was hushed up for 11 days, the Associated press discovered the extent of the years-long cover up:

Records obtained by the AP show that so far this year, North Dakota has recorded 139 pipeline leaks that spilled a total of 735 barrels of oil. In 2012, there were 153 pipeline leaks that spilled 495 barrels of oil, data shows.

A little more than half of the spills companies reported to North Dakota occurred “on-site,” where a well is connected to a pipeline, and most were fewer than 10 barrels. The remainder of the spills occurred along the state’s labyrinth of pipelines.
[...]
There should be no surprise that there is worldwide support for the Standing Rock protectors who are standing to protect the land and water for all of us.

North Dakota has been hiding oil spills for years and the state is now using the National guard to protect these companies that are polluting the land and water. How many other states are doing the same? or worse…

_http://www.globalresearch.ca/native-americans-document-hundreds-of-pipeline-leaks-and-oil-spills-kept-secret-by-north-dakota-government/5546626
 
An oil spill in Oklahoma forced the shutdown of a major, 850,000-barrel per day pipeline system that supplies crude oil to Texas refineries. The incident follows another pipeline rupture in Pennsylvania, where 55,000 gallons of gasoline poured into a river.

Oklahoma, Pennsylvania pipelines spill oil and gasoline over week-end
https://www.rt.com/usa/363970-oklahoma-oil-spill-pipeline/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

As of Monday, the Seaway Crude Pipeline Co. has resumed pumping at its 450,000-barrel-a-day (bpd) Loop (twin) pipeline, which was shut down “as a safety precaution” following the spill at a parallel pipeline.

“Vacuum trucks are being used to recover the crude oil and return it to storage tanks onsite,” the company said in a statement Monday, as clean-up operations continued.

The 400,000-bpd “legacy line” remained closed in the meantime, but Seaway hopes to bring it back “as soon as possible.”

“The impacted segment of the legacy pipeline has a capacity of 50,000 barrels,” the company said without providing the actual amount of the crude oil that spilled. The company says that the total won’t be assessed until recovery efforts are complete, but expects that amount of released oil will be “significantly less” than the pipeline’s capacity.

Most of the crude oil spilled has been contained in a retention pond at a facility owned by Enbridge Inc, a company that shares 50 percent of the Seaway Crude Pipeline Company with Enterprise.

Seaway has also said that there was “no fire or injuries” resulting from the spill and that there was threat to the public.

The spill in Oklahoma came less than two days after an incident in Pennsylvania, which resulted in 55 gallons (or 1,300 barrels) of gasoline seeping into the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County on Friday.

The 8-inch (20-cm) Sunoco pipeline began leaking in Gamble Township, Lycoming County, at about 3:00am on Friday. Pennsylvania American Water warned customers to reduce water use as the leak threatened drinking water. The “conservation notice” was lifted on Sunday.

“The company started to resume normal operations Saturday afternoon after testing of source water along the Susquehanna River found no detection of gasoline near the Milton Treatment Plant’s raw water intake,” Pennsylvania American Water said in a statement, warning that water could be “discolored or cloudy” in some areas.

Both spills come at a sensitive time, as debates between environmentalists and energy companies gains momentum.

Concerns of pipeline safety and impact on people's’ lives have been among top reasons for a months-long protest against the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL).

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe has been insisting that the planned to route the four-state line underneath the Missouri River would potentially damage its drinking water.

The tribe also says the construction, led by the Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, would damage several areas of "significant cultural and historic value.”
 
North Dakota, which ranks second in the US in terms of oil production, endured almost 300 oil spills in under two years and yet managed to avoid reporting a single one of them to the public, according to a new report.

North Dakota failed to inform the public of 100s of oil spills over last two years – report
https://www.rt.com/usa/ndakota-failed-public-oil-spills-757/

Documents viewed by the Associated Press indicate that, since January 2012, as many as 750 “oil field incidents” were recorded in North Dakota. The distinction between spills and incidents was not immediately clear but presumably was related to the magnitude of the accident.

North Dakota, which borders Canada and has an estimated population of under 700,000 people, is like many other states heavily involved in oil production in that it is not required by law to inform the public about oil spills. Yet with the potentially devastating consequences a spill could have in a state that relies on farming and water resources, citizens have begun lobbying for greater access to information.

Dennis Fewless, director of water quality for the state Health Department, told the AP lawmakers and regulators in North Dakota are also reconsidering the current state of affairs after a wheat farmer stumbled across a major oil spill last month. That incident was not made public knowledge until 11 days later, when reporters asked. Questions have also been raised as to whether the relationship between the pipeline’s operator, Tesoro Logistics, with regulators is too close for comfort.

“We’re certainly looking at that now and what would be a threshold for reporting to the public,” he said. One option he said regulators are considering is a method to better track the spills that occur. Officials “really have to dig through our database to get specifics,” he said of the current situation.

North Dakota pumps out millions of barrels of oil every day and installed nearly 2,500 miles of new transport pipelines in 2012. There is now enough pipeline, a total of about 17,500 miles, in North Dakota to travel the distance from Los Angeles, California to New York City. The state ranks behind only Texas as the most productive, yet farmers are still unaware that the land they till every season could be tainted.

“What you don’t know, nobody is going to tell you,” Louis Kuster, a wheat farmer located near the north-western city of Stanley, said. Kuster explained how, earlier this month, he watched as truckloads of oily dirt were driven away from a nearby farm.

“We have no idea how big the spill is and why it happened,” he said, speculating it may have been from a broken pipeline although no one can be quite sure. “I’d try to get more information from the state but I’m too busy getting my harvest in.”

In 2013 alone there have already been 291 so-called “incidents.” Of the roughly 2,209 barrels that were lost, all but 490 were contained and cleaned up at the well site. Most of the spills that companies reported to the state totaled less than 10 barrels. Nearly 500 barrels of oil spilled in 2012, the result of 153 pipeline leaks.

“That’s news to us,” said Don Morrison, director of the environmentally-minded Dakota Resource Council. “The public really should know about these. If there is a spill, sometimes a landowner may not even know about it. And if they do, people think it’s an isolated incident that’s only happening to them.”
 
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