Governor Riley Urges Continued Fuel Conservation While Gas Supplies in Alabama Expected to Increase Soon

Governor Riley Urges Continued Fuel Conservation While Gas Supplies in Alabama Expected to Increase Soon

As electricity is restored throughout areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, Governor Bob Riley said Alabama's gasoline supply is expected to increase and shortages should subside over the next several days.

"The two major pipelines that supply Alabama and many of our neighboring states are being brought back on-line as electricity is restored. My office has been meeting with pipeline representatives and oil and gas distributors and I've been informed the availability of gas should be returning to normal soon," Governor Riley said.

Colonial Pipeline said today it is continuing to safely add capacity to both its main pipelines and is currently operating at 66 percent of normal transportation volumes. It expects to be at about 85 percent capacity by late this weekend.

Plantation Pipe Line Co. today reported that electricity has been restored to its pumping station in Collins, MS, giving the company the ability to operate at approximately 95 percent of its average daily output.

"As progress continues to be made on restoring power, I'm hopeful that we in Alabama will see an end to gas shortages and supply disruptions by the middle of next week. In the meantime, I continue to urge citizens to use good judgment. Don't take any unnecessary trips by car. Spend time with your family at or near home this weekend. If everyone plays their part and conserves fuel, we'll get through this problem more quickly," Governor Riley said.

Earlier this week, Governor Riley directed state employees to limit all non-essential travel in order to help conserve fuel for emergency, public safety and military use in Alabama.

http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2005-09-02-02-katrina_fuelconserve.asp