Las Vegas (KSNV) — Raging California wildfires have caused two fuel pipelines in Los Angeles to shut down amidst power outages Now concerns are growing amongst many drivers who say they fear that impact could cause delays and fuel shortages across southern Nevada.
Out of an abundance of caution, Thursday afternoon several local government authorities across southern Nevada, took to social media to announce the potential impact the local fuel supply in southern Nevada could face.
The announcement sparked concerns amongst many drivers who took the report as a sign to fill up their vehicles with gas, causing some slight panic amongst other drivers across the valley.
“My sister she was who called me; she was you ‘better go.’ and I said ‘Oh I better go, but I am here, but everything is going to be okay,” said one driver.
Thursday afternoon, the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, and Las Vegas Metro Police all took to social media alerting drivers that the Kinder-Morgan California Nevada Pipeline that supplies fuel to southern Nevada could potentially face disruptions in light of power outages due to raging California wildfires.
“The potential fuel disruptions could compound with other problems like the disruptions in traffic, the congestion from people evacuation, lack of access to fuel, the health impact to tourism, and people that are attempting to evacuate. but are held in traffic and have to suffer the health impact. The emergency services that would have to potentially attend to respiratory problems that are a direct result of that and it all becomes sort of sort of like a perfect storm,” said UNLV UNLV School of Public Policy and Leadership Assistant Professor, Dr. Ben Leffel.
Local governments urge drivers to stay informed to avoid misinformation and discourage panic buying at the pump.
“I heard that they were going to shut down the pipelines,” said one driver.
The announcement had the complete opposite effect with many drivers fleeing to several gas stations adding to the long wait times and lines of vehicles wrapped around city corners and buildings just to fill up at the pump.
“That’s extremely long and people are probably panicking for nothing. I am not sure but I’d rather be safe than sorry.” “No, maybe there’s going to be a shortage, but I think everything is going to be okay,” said a driver on her way to fuel up at a local Costco.
However, what has some drivers concerned are the looming gas price hikes that could come soon after.
“There could be prince fluctuations, potentially there could be an increased price for increased demand if there are shortages, but that is a matter if you are willing to foot the bill, but that is still, that present would be an extreme case,” Dr. Leffel added.
Local authorities say they’ve been in contact with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo to better manage the situation.
Authorities also say two pipelines fuel the valley which should help alleviate any disruptions should they arise.
