In the wake of the recent cyber-attack on America’s largest pipeline company, White House officials declared a state of emergency in 17 states in addition to Washington, DC.
White House officials have declared a state of emergency in 17 US states following a cyber-attack on America’s largest fuel pipeline company.
According to the British newspaper “Financial Times”, the White House on Sunday declared a state of emergency in 17 states, as well as “Washington DC” in response to the closure of the “Colonial” pipeline following the May 18 cyber-attack.
Despite the state of emergency in the United States, there will be no restrictions on drivers and transportation companies providing assistance to areas that are short of refined petroleum products, Xinhua reported.
According to the Hill website, a state of emergency has been declared in 17 US states and capitals following the closure of one of the largest pipelines in the United States, which supplies about 45% of the fuel consumed on the east coast of the United States.
According to the report, the state of emergency includes Alabama, Arkansas, Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas.
According to the report, the Federal Safe Transport Authority is exempt from this emergency so that drivers can refuel in areas facing a shortage of refined petroleum products.
The state of emergency continues until federal officials announce its end, otherwise it will continue until 11:59 p.m. June 8, 2021.
Colonial Pipeline announced last Friday that it had shut down more than 8,000 kilometers of the pipeline after a hacker attack on the company’s system.
Experts have warned that if the pipeline is not reopened in the next few days, there is a possibility that fuel prices will rise, although the pipeline is still closed until yesterday, three days later.