Ariana Sawyer, Jamie McGee and Pranaav Jadhav

asawyer@tennessean.com, jmcgee@tennessean.com and pjadhav@theleafchronicle.com

Despite assurances from Gov. Bill Haslam Friday that there is not a current shortage of fuel following a massive gas leak in Alabama, consumers are reporting that several gas stations have run out of petroleum.

Earlier in the day, Haslam issued an executive order waiving hourly limits on fuel truck drivers in order to maintain adequate gas supply in Tennessee as a "precautionary measure as we are not currently seeing any widespread unavailability of petroleum in Tennessee.”

“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,” he said.

Officials: Drivers shouldn't make gas shortage worse by panicking

“The hours of service waiver will pay off immediately in terms of more fuel brought into the area,” said Emily LeRoy, executive director of the Tennessee Fuel and Convenience Store Association, in a statement. “Our member companies continue to deliver fuel to gas stations and convenience stores in Tennessee, but they are driving farther to get the fuel.”

But on Friday evening, lines of those looking to refuel were several cars long, likely contributing to the shortage.

When Susan Logan, 56, saw the lines at a Kroger gas station in Franklin, she passed it by. But when the second place she stopped had bags over the fuel pumps and signs saying they were all out, she returned to wait in line.

Her vehicle didn't make it to the front before a gas station attendant came out waving his arms and telling everyone they were all out too. Logan, who lives in Spring Hill but works in downtown Franklin said her husband told her Spring Hill gas stations were also out of gas.

She finally did get gas at a BP near Highway 96.

"The lines kept getting longer and longer as I was there," she said. "I texted my friends to get gas on the way home from work."

The gas leak could spur higher fuel prices in Tennessee, according to a report from WJHL.com, an ABC affiliate. Close to 250,000 gallons spilled from the leak and prompted officials to issue a state of emergency in Shelby County, Ala. More than 500 people are working to stop the leak, which has released vapors unsafe for workers, according to the news station.

Mapco on Madison Street was also out of gas this morning, and this evening, a Mapco at Warfield and Ted Crozier had only premium gas. A Shell on Rossview Road also had no gas available as of 5 p.m. Three Clarksville gas stations were low on fuel today.

Kay Hill, who was buying gas today in Clarksville, said she had seen prices climb within a short window of time on Friday, jumping from $1.99 a gallon to $2.19.

"They are saying the shortage is because of the leakage," she said. "It takes away from my groceries that I could buy to get gas. I'm getting gas now because I know in another two hours the price is going to go up again."

Tennessee’s price gouging laws, which are triggered when a disaster is declared by the state or federal government, make it illegal for individuals and businesses to charge unreasonable prices for essential goods and services including gasoline.

According to the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management, businesses can be fined $1,000 for each act of price gouging.

A Citgo station on Nolensville Pike was up to $2.39 per gallon as of 7 p.m. Friday evening and a Shell station on Cool Springs Boulevard posted signs saying it could only sell premium gas at $3.19.

Colonial Pipeline runs from Houston to New Jersey. Tennessee, along with Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, would be impacted first by disruption, WJHL reports, citing Colonial Pipeline.

The fuel line will begin operating next week, and Alabama fuel truck drivers will be allowed to drive for 12 hours to minimize fuel disruptions, according to WJHL, citing Colonial Pipeline.

“The key is for consumers to buy fuel at their typical levels to ensure there is an adequate supply for everyone,” said Rob Ikard, president of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association, in a statement.

Those who have a problem with a business can file a complaint at www.tn.gov/consumer or call toll-free 1-800-342-8385. Consumer Affairs also has a price gouging online complaint form at: http://tn.gov/commerce/article/consumer-price-gouging-complaint.

Reach Jamie McGee at 615-259-8071 and on Twitter @JamieMcGee_. Reach Ariana Sawyer at 615-259-8382 or on Twitter @a_maia_sawyer.

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