Drivers are emptying U.S. gas stations as a result of a ruptured fuel pipe

The panic of drivers buying motorbikes in response to a cyberattack on an interstate fuel pipeline has led to depletion at gas stations scattered across the southeastern U.S., and the federal government has led to the suspension of pollution regulations to maintain energy flow.

The colonial pipeline has been closed since Friday when the FBI said it was a purchase attack hacking team Called DarkSide. The 5,500-mile network carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from refineries in the Gulf of Mexico to markets on the east coast of the United States.

Drivers who are concerned about potential deficiencies have been filling cars. Nearly 8% of Virginia stations were without gas since Tuesday morning, according to GasBuddy fuel provider, while 6% of North Carolina stations and 4% of Georgia stations were also dry.

“In some cases, automakers are starting to refuel, stop or run faster than stations would, and have a greater impact in the coming days,” said Patrick De Haan, head of oil analysis at GasBuddy.

The pipeline company said it expects most of the system to be up and running by the end of the week. Futures of U.S. gas station deliveries in June have remained steady since the shutdown began as retailers began to return supplies to normal.

However, pump prices have started to rise significantly. National average gas prices were $ 2.99 on Tuesday morning, according to the AAA Motorists Association, the highest level since November 2014.

The southeastern U.S. states remained among the cheapest oil markets, according to the AAA, but prices are also rising there.

As of April 30, there were 23.8 million barrels of oil in storage in the southeastern U.S., 9% less than the average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wholesale fuel sellers can extract stocks until they resume service in the pipeline that carries 45% of the fuel consumed on the east coast.

However, there has been “two or three times the usual demand” because consumers have reacted to the breakdown, said Jeff Lenard, NACS, vice president of strategic industry initiatives for the shopping store trade association. “People are worried about where the next requirement will come from. They’re making sure they get it today.”

To address fuel shortages, the U.S. environmental regulator on Tuesday temporarily ruled out a reduction in the pressure on gasoline sold in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia and Washington, DC. Controls are usually in place to remove the smoke.

I have determined that there is an “extreme and unusual circumstance for fuel suppliers” that will prevent consumers from distributing a proper supply of gasoline, ”said Michael Regan, an administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. he wrote in a letter to the three governors of the state and the mayor of Washington.

Formerly the U.S. Department of Transportation established emergency capabilities raising the limits on the number of hours truckers can work to increase fuel shipments.