Three More States Declare a State of Emergency as Effects of Pipeline Attack Worsen The governors of Virginia, Florida and Georgia have all signed executive orders in their respective states in an attempt to prohibit price gauging of fuel prices and to prepare for possible shortages.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Fahroni | Getty Images

The fallout from the Coastal Pipeline cyberattack continues to increase in severity as three more states have declared a state of emergency surrounding the situation.

The governors of Virginia, Florida and Georgia have all signed executive orders in their respective states in an attempt to prohibit price gauging of fuel prices and to prepare for possible fuel supply shortages.

"This emergency declaration will help the Commonwealth prepare for any potential supply shortages and ensure Virginia motorists have access to fuel as we respond to this evolving situation," Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said in a statement.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management urged residents to not "panic" buy gas out of fear.

"This can create spot shortages at stations, which is what we DON'T want to happen," the organization said. "Colonial Pipeline hopes to resume normal operations soon."

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida signed a similar executive order, with many Floridians noting that hoards of gas stations have already run out of fuel supply.

Though the southern portion of Florida doesn't receive gas from the Colonial Pipeline (it receives fuel from barges shipped into ports), panic buying and hoarding of supplies could cause outages and inflation statewide.

Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia has also declared an emergency, noting that he has suspended the gas tax in his state.

"We are taking action to relieve some of the cost burden from Georgians as Colonial recovers by suspending fuel taxes, increasing the weight limit for supply trucks, and prohibiting price gouging," Kemp said.

On a national level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency waiver that is aimed to help prevent fuel shortages on the East Coast — namely Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and D.C. — by waiving the "Reid vapor pressure requirements' for gas being sold in select areas.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm urged Americans affected to watch for price hikes.

"We expect that gas station owners are and should act responsibly," she said. "We will have no tolerance for price gouging. Federal and state officials will be investigating those actions if they see price gouging."

National gas prices jumped to an average of $3.008 per gallon as of Tuesday, May 12.

Related: North Carolina Declares State of Emergency as Residents Wait on Gas Lines for Hours

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Innovation

5 Ways to Improve Your Chances of Getting Patents

Turning innovation into patents? It can be an uphill battle. Check out these five effective strategies to improve your odds of success!

Business News

'Everyone Can Profit From It': What Is DeepSeek? China's 'Cheap' to Make AI Chatbot Climbs to the Top of Apple, Google U.S. App Stores

DeepSeek researchers claim it was developed for less than $6 million, a contrast to the $100 million it takes U.S. tech startups to create AI.

Franchise

Setting the Standard — When Disaster Strikes, This Top Franchise Is Making a Difference

Servpro's success is built on a foundation of expertise, technology, and a commitment to helping franchisees thrive.

Leadership

Strong Leaders Thrive in Complexity — Here Are 5 Leadership Level-Ups for 2025

Leadership isn't static. It's a journey of continual learning and evolution. Here are some lessons for leaders this year.

Science & Technology

From Data to Destiny — How AI Can Turbocharge Your Business Future

Are you ready to embrace the power of AI with trusted data? Let's transform challenges into opportunities and propel your business into the future.

Branding

How to Build a Strong Brand Identity for Your Early-Stage Startup

Branding might not be your first priority, but neglecting it can hurt your startup. A strong brand identity early on sets the stage for marketing success.