Stating that a state of emergency exists, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order aimed at preventing a gasoline shortage due to a shutdown of a pipeline in Alabama.
McAuliffe signed the order Friday, which eases restrictions on trucks carrying gas. Those restrictions include the number of hours truck drivers can work continuously.
In the order, McAuliffe said, "While current gasoline reserves in the Commonwealth are sufficient to address any immediate supply concerns, it is necessary, in accordance with § 44-146.17, that the Commonweath take appropriate measures to prevent any resource shortage occasioned by this disaster."
Colonial Pipeline Co. doesn't expect to fully reopen its primary gasoline pipeline, which has spilled more than 250,000 gallons near Birmingham, Alabama, until next week. The pipeline is used to send gasoline from refineries on the Texas Gulf coast to states in the Southeast and along the East Coast.
Colonial said that supply disruptions would be felt first in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
