TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — As the Colonial Pipeline hack continues to impact gas distribution in the U.S., Governor Ron DeSantis declared an Emergency Order for Florida on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 until such time as Colonial Pipeline operations have fully resumed.
According to the executive order, on May 7, Colonial Pipeline, a major US fuel pipeline operator, was the target of a 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.
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 Gov. 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, May 11, unless Gov. DeSantis extends it.
You can read the full executive order below:
