Security News > 2021 > May > US declares state of emergency after ransomware hits largest pipeline

After a ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline forced the company to shut down 5,500 miles of fuel pipeline, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration affecting 17 states and the District of Columbia.

"Direct assistance terminates when a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide services not in support of emergency relief efforts related to the shortages of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products due to the shutdown, partial shutdown, and/or manual operation of the Colonial pipeline system in the Affected States, or when the motor carrier dispatches a driver or commercial motor vehicle to another location to begin operations in commerce" - the FMCSA [PDF].

The derogations apply only for the duration of the emergency state caused by "The shutdown, partial shutdown, and/or manual operation of the Colonial pipeline system."

In a statement on Saturday, the Colonial Pipeline Company said it was the victim of a ransomware attack.

Proactive action forced the company to take offline certain systems that put a temporary stop to all pipeline operations.

"We are in the process of restoring service to other laterals and will bring our full system back online only when we believe it is safe to do so, and in full compliance with the approval of all federal regulations" - the Colonial Pipeline Company.

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