From the N.C. Department of Public Safety

Fuel retailers in North Carolina are closely monitoring developments regarding fuel supply levels given the temporary shipment disruption due to the Colonial Pipeline leak in Alabama.

“Our first priority is maintaining public safety. To that end, we are asking first responders to double check their vehicles to ensure they have adequate fuel supplies on hand to run their operations,” said Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry. “We’ve seen fuel disruptions like this before and want to reassure people that there’s no need for alarm at this time.”

Public Safety and Emergency Management officials met Friday to review fuel contingency plans should the situation escalate. Already fuel suppliers have been working with other providers to resupply fuel via the ports and other means.

Thursday, Governor Pat McCrory issued an executive order temporarily waiving hours of service restrictions for fuel vehicles traveling in and through the state. The move will help prevent disruptions and backups at major fuel distribution hubs as crews continue working to repair a leak that surfaced last week on the Colonial Pipeline that provides fuel to North Carolina and other eastern states.