Gov. Bill Haslam has declared a state of emergency to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel due to a burst gas pipeline in Alabama.
Haslam has waived federal hours of service requirements for fuel transporters to prevent any disruptions to the state’s fuel supply.

Truck drivers will be able to work longer hours to help transport fuel to gas stations

“This is a precautionary measure as we are not currently seeing any widespread unavailability of petroleum in Tennessee,” Haslam said in a release. “We urge Tennesseans to maintain their normal fuel purchasing and driving patterns to help prevent any potential impacts on our fuel supply while the pipeline undergoes repairs.”

A gasoline pipeline in Helena, AL, burst, leaking around 6,000 barrels of fuel (252,000 gallons). That pipeline brings fuel to numerous states, including Tennessee.  Price of gas will be rising due to the leak.

Price gouging laws are in effect for the emergency. Tennessee’s price gouging laws make it unlawful for individuals and businesses to charge unreasonable prices for essential goods and services including gasoline, food, ice, fuel, generators, lodging, storage space, and other necessities in direct response to a disaster regardless of whether that emergency occurred in Tennessee or elsewhere. The price gouging law makes it unlawful to charge a price that is grossly in excess of the price charged prior to the emergency.