14 DAY TRIAL // The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared a regional emergency in 17 states and the District of Columbia because of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline's networks.
Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) are temporarily exempted, allowing alternate transportation of gasoline, diesel, and refined petroleum products to address supply shortages caused by the attack.
The "unanticipated shutdown of the Colonial pipeline system due to network issues that affect the supply of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products throughout the Affected States" prompted such an emergency, according to the directive.
"This Declaration addresses the emergency conditions creating a need for immediate transportation of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products and provides necessary relief."
Alabama, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia are among the states and jurisdictions affected by the pipeline shutdown and included in the Emergency Declaration.
The exemptions, which are intended to alleviate any shortages or supply disruptions that may arise because of the shutdown, are expected to last until the end of the emergency, or until June 8, 2021, at 11:59 p.m., whichever comes first.
DarkSide Ransomware is confirmed by the FBI
The news comes as the FBI confirmed that the shutdown of one of the country's largest pipelines over the weekend was caused by the Darkside ransomware.
The company was forced to shut down 5,500 miles of fuel pipeline from Houston, Texas, to New York Harbor. The recent cyberattack are currently raising concerns about the vulnerability of the U.S. energy infrastructure to cyberattacks.
Colonial Pipeline said in a statement that it is continuing to work in partnership with third-party cybersecurity experts, law enforcement, and other federal agencies to restore pipeline operations quickly and safely.
While this situation remains fluid and continues to evolve, the Colonial operations team is executing a plan that involves an incremental process that will facilitate a return to service in a phased approach.