RALEIGH -- In anticipation of gasoline shortages caused by Hurricane Harvey, Governor Roy Cooper issued executive orders that will help maintain gasoline supplies for North Carolina.

“Hurricane Harvey’s damage to refineries in Texas and Louisiana could ripple throughout the southeast, causing gasoline shortages and rising prices,” Gov. Cooper said. “I’m taking action to make it easier to get gasoline into our state so North Carolinians who need gas can get it.”

Restrictions Lifted to Help Gas Supply Flow More Easily

Today, Gov. Cooper signed Executive Order No. 19, declaring a state of emergency to temporarily waive the cap on maximum hours of service restrictions for fuel vehicles traveling in and through North Carolina. The order will help gasoline move in and through North Carolina more easily and quickly in response to delivery problems caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Earlier this week, Gov. Cooper asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to waive certain federal regulations to keep gasoline supplies moving throughout North Carolina. The waivers were granted yesterday.

North Carolina Helps Harvey Victims
This morning, Gov. Cooper joined Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks, Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane, and City of Raleigh Fire Chief John McGrath to send off members from five swift water rescue teams from Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Henderson County, who are on their way to assist with relief and rescue efforts in communities hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. In the past week, the state of North Carolina has also dispatched helicopters and dozens of additional volunteers to Texas to assist with flood rescue and relief efforts.

The Governor’s Executive Order also helps support disaster response efforts by making it easier for vehicles transporting emergency relief supplies to travel through North Carolina.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering from Harvey and its aftermath, and North Carolina is doing everything we can to help,” said Governor Cooper. "This executive order will help essential supplies get to flood victims as soon as possible, while also keeping fuel flowing here in North Carolina.”

Price Gouging Law Now in Effect Statewide
Earlier today, Gov. Cooper also signed Executive Order No. 18, declaring an abnormal market disruption for gasoline in North Carolina based on the temporary shutdown of Texas and Louisiana fuel refineries due to Hurricane Harvey. As a result, North Carolina’s price gouging law against overcharging in a time of crisis is now in effect statewide for the next 45 days.

North Carolinians who spot potential gas price gouging may report it to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office at ncdoj.gov or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.