The SIGMA trade association has provided the following important information regarding the Colonial Pipeline incident:
In response to an explosion and fire on the Colonial Pipeline Monday, the Governors of Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina have declared a state of emergency in their respective states. For Alabama and Georgia, these disaster declarations have only suspended Hours of Service requirements. North Carolina suspended Hours of Service Requirements, as well as certain size and weight restrictions. North Carolina also has in effect a prohibition against excessive pricing. Officials with the Colonial Pipeline note that they hope to restart operations as early as this weekend.
- Alabama: Hours of Service rules, as it relates to pipeline repair and transportation of fuel, suspended for 30 days, unless sooner terminated. (Read the Proclamation, signed on November 1st).
- Of note, the Governor warned against “unconscionable prices” for commodities during the emergency, saying: “In accordance with the Code of Alabama (1975), Sections 8-31-1 through 8-31-6, I hereby place all persons on notice that it is unlawful for any person within the State of Alabama to impose unconscionable prices for the sale of any commodity during the period of a declared State of Emergency.”
- Georgia: Hours of Service rules suspended for 14 days, or until the emergency condition ceases to exist. (Read the Executive Order, signed on November 1st).
- North Carolina: Extended a previous Executive Order as it related to Hurricane Matthew. The new order suspends Hours of Service requirements through December 3, 2016. In addition, the Executive Order suspends certain “size and weight restrictions on vehicles … carrying essentials on the interstate and intrastate highways.” The order also extends price gouging laws currently in effect due to the Hurricane. (Read the Executive Order, signed on November 1st).
Colonial Pipeline Response Update: https://helena.colonialresponse.com/
Please refer back to the Fuel Matters blog for further updates as they become available.