DeSantis declares state of emergency after Colonial Pipeline cyber attack

FLORIDA – Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Tuesday after a cyber attack Friday caused a major U.S. fuel pipeline to temporarily halt operations.

DeSantis said the emergency order will be in place while crews work to fully resume operations of the Colonial Pipeline.

Executive Order 21-05 signed by DeSantis Tuesday will activate the Florida National Guard and directs emergency management officials in the state to work with federal and local officials.

READ THE EMERGENCY ORDER HERE:

DeSantis Emergency Order by Olivia Hyde on Scribd

The Colonial Pipeline is responsible for transferring a substantial amount of fuel to the East Coast of the US but the closure still poses a threat to Florida, DeSantis said.

A Russian criminal group called DarkSide could be responsible for using ransomware to extort the Colonial Pipeline, which carries fuel from Texas and supplies states across the southeastern US and up to the New York Harbor, NBC News reported.

As Florida receives its fuel largely from Gulf Coast refineries via waterborne vessels, the state will be well supplied with gasoline as officials work to restart the pipeline, according to The Autoclub Group [AAA].

Prices are another story, as the cost of gas in Florida already increased 10 cents last week in response to crude oil and gasoline futures price gains, AAA reported.

Cape Coral residents are bracing for a potential gas shortage in the area.

Gas prices are influenced by domestic and international supply and demand, leaving pumps vulnerable to future price swings.

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