A gasoline pipeline leak has led to a shutdown that is resulting in stations running out of gas and long lines at those that are seeing their supplies dwindle. . 

 

The leak is Alabama on the Colonial Pipeline. The Raleigh News and Observer reports more than 252,000 gallons of gasoline had leaked before the rupture was discovered on Sept. 9.

 

AAA reports that the average price of a gallon in North Carolina on Monday morning jumped 11 cents a gallon during the past week. More than 400 customers had reported price gouging at gas stations statewide as of Monday afternoon, the state Attorney General’s Office said. The highest reported price, $9.99 a gallon at a station in King, had been advertised but not actually charged, though the Consumer Protection Division was investigating one sale at $5.89 and another topping $4 a gallon. 

 

Colonial announced Monday it was shipping “significant volumes” on a second pipeline and that supplies have been delivered or were on their way to retailers. Most stations that ran out of gas over the weekend should be receiving fuel Monday and Tuesday, according to the company.

 

Colonial is building a temporary pipeline that will bypass the leaking section. It has not said when that will be ready.

 

The state declared an “abnormal market disruption” Friday evening, and the N.C. Attorney General’s Office shared via Twitter and Facebook that the state’s price gouging law was in effect. Gov. Pat McCrory also issued executive orders waiving trucking restrictions on fuel trucks to try to bolster supplies.