ATLANTA — A US agency put out a warning to everyone on Twitter amid the gas outages caused by the pipeline cyberattack: “Do not fill plastic bags with gasoline”
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission tweeted Wednesday morning that people should “use only containers approved for fuel.”
Use only containers approved for fuel.
— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) May 12, 2021
The tweet came after photos and videos circulated on social media of people filing grocery bags and other items, including plastic storage containers, with gasoline.
“We know this sounds simple, but when people get desperate they stop thinking clearly. They take risks that can have deadly consequences. If you know someone who is thinking about bringing a container not meant for fuel to get gas, please let them know it’s dangerous,” the agency tweeted.
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There was a major run on gasoline after a cyberattack shutdown the Colonial Pipeline earlier this week. In Georgia, several gas stations have run out of gas and prices skyrocketed over the past several days.
Officials say this is not a gas shortage. It is an out an outage caused by the fact that too many people rushed to get gas at the same time.
“There’s ample gasoline supply in the United States. So there is no shortage of gasoline,” said Garrett Townsend with AAA Georgia.
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On Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that the state got approval from the EPA to use their winter blend fuel to help ease the outages at the pumps. He said he was optimistic the pipeline would be flowing again by the end of the week and urged Georgians not to rush to the pumps.
“Please do not go out and fill up every five gallon can that you have. Doing so will only mean the shortage will last longer and more Georgians will be unable to make it to work, take their kids to school or get to their medical appointment,” Kemp said.
Cox Media Group
