How Will The Gas Shortage Impact Your Memorial Day

Colonial Pipeline did issue a statement Wednesday saying that it had initiated the restart of pipeline operations as of 5 p.m. ET.

The company warned that it will take several days for the supply chain to return to normal.

“Some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or continue to experience, intermittent service interruptions during the start-up period,” the statement read. “Colonial will move as much gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as is safely possible and will continue to do so until markets return to normal.”

Colonial Pipeline delivers about 45% of the East Coast’s gas. The pipeline runs from the Gulf Coast to the New York metropolitan region.

Panic-buyers flooded gas stations on the East Coast prompting states such as North Carolina and Virginia to issue states of emergency.

Georgians were also getting squeezed, with 43% of stations there out of gas, according to Gasbuddy.com. In Virginia, 44% of stations were out, and in South Carolina, 16% had no fuel.

“What you’re feeling is not a lack of supply or a supply issue. What we have is a transportation issue,” said Jeanette McGee, spokeswoman for the AAA auto club. “There is ample supply to fuel the United States for the summer, but what we’re having an issue with is getting it to those gas stations because the pipeline is down.”

There’s a national trucker shortage, so the industry isn’t able to put more trucks on the road.

If gas prices hit $3 per gallon — their highest price since October 2014 — ahead of Memorial Day, it will be one of many price spikes US consumers will face. Price tags for other holiday goods from hot dogs and bacon to vacation homes and chlorine will make the holiday an increasingly expensive endeavor.