Gov. activates state emergency response team due to fuel shortage

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Governor Pat McCrory activated North Carolina’s state emergency response team to coordinate with counties regarding fuel needs as Colonial Pipeline officials continue working to fix a damaged pipeline.

The governor also encourages drivers to report price gauging.

Some gas stations in the Cape Fear are just flat out of gas. Others have lines. Meanwhile, some are jacking up their prices.

“You know they are going to do it,” William Toney said. “Anytime you have a problem with gas and especially if they’re saying a line is cut, you are going to have that gauging.”

The Colonial Pipeline spill in Alamaba is already causing price gauging. Attorney General Roy Cooper issued subpoenas to a gas station in Guilford County allegedly charging consumers as much as $4.50 a gallon for gas.

“Whatever reason they want or they can, it seems like a lot of times they put gas up,” Alex Parody said. “I hope it’s not what of those.”

Meanwhile, in Winston-Salem, the city has instituted a ban on non-essential driving as they wait to get a gasoline shipment on Wednesday.

“Well, if it has to be done, I can understand it,” Parody said.

McCrory is instructing state agencies to consider options to limit fuel use, including curtailing non-essential travel for state employees.

While everyone waits and hopes the problem is fixed soon, many drivers just hope they do not run out of gas first.
“I am concerned that I won’t have gas yeah, because I need it to get to work,” Parody said.

You can report possible gas price gouging to the Attorney General’s Office by filing a consumer complaint.