CHAMBLEE, Ga. (AP) — More than 1,000 gas stations in the Southeast reported running out of fuel, primarily because of what analysts say is unwarranted panic-buying among drivers, as the shutdown of a major pipeline by a gang of hackers entered its fifth day Tuesday.
Earlier, the Colonial Pipeline underwent devastating setbacks after being the focus of a recent cyberattack. The pipeline serves a critical part of the US petroleum infrastructure as it transports nearly half of the US East Coat's fuel supply.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered a Canadian energy company to shut down an oil pipeline long targeted by activists despite fuel shortages brought on by the cyberattack on the nation’s largest pipeline.
With fears growing that the Colonial shutdown could last for much longer than initially expected, with some analysts warning that a 5-day shutdown could lead to sharply higher prices, and the Biden admin activating a state of emergency to make sure that critical gasoline supplies continue to flow up the eastern seaboard, moments ago Colonial Pipeline issued an update on its attempts to restore operations, saying that "segments of our pipeline are being brought back online in a stepwise fashion" and that the goal now is to "substantially" restore operational service by the end of the week.
