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Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency due to Colonial Pipeline shutdown

Order calls for immediate action to ensure continued delivery of fuel to Florida
Drivers wait as truck fills empty gas tanks at Marathon gas station in Hollywood in 2016
Posted at 7:55 PM, May 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-11 23:27:39-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency due to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.

According to the executive order, Colonial Pipeline, a major U.S. fuel pipeline operator, was the target of a May 7 cyberattack that disabled certain computer systems responsible for sustaining pipeline operations.

As a result of the incident, Colonial Pipeline was forced to temporarily halt pipeline operations in order to contain the attack.

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Colonial Pipeline is responsible for transporting a "substantial percentage" of fuel on the East Coast of the United States, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products, the executive order stated.

The closure of the pipeline poses a severe threat to the state of Florida and DeSantis said this requires immediate resources be taken to protect the continued delivery of fuel products to the state, the executive order read.

The executive order is to expire in 30 days from Tuesday unless DeSantis extends it.

You can read the full executive order below: