CHICAGO, IL (WTAQ) — A massive cyberattack crippled one of the largest gas pipelines in the United States over the weekend.
A ransomware attack on the Colonial Gas Pipeline in the Southeastern United States shut it down entirely. GasBuddy’s Patrick DeHaan says that outside of the area of the pipeline, it’s not likely gas prices will rise very much.
“This is not something tha will have a significant impact on prices across the non affected areas, that is outside the southeast,” said DeHaan. “We may only see prices climb a few cents a gallon.”
In the southeast, however, it’s possible the situation could become extremely dire.
“In the southeast this is going to be a significant challenge,” DeHaan told WTAQ. “Not so much in finding a cheap price, but finding a station that has gasoline.”
Officials believe the hack was perpetuated by a non-state actor based in Russia. DeHaan says the fact that hackers on the other side of the world were able to shut down a massive oil pipeline is troubling, and could have wide-ranging implications.
It’s very worrisome,” DeHaan told WTAQ. “I’m sure there’s going to be very very extensive dialogue at the very highest levels of government to make sure that any vulnerabilities are addressed as soon as possible.”
It could be days before functionality is restored on that pipeline.
Gas prices on Monday in Green Bay averaged $2.83.
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