NORTH CAROLINA — On Friday Colonial Pipeline, the largest refined products pipeline in the country, shut down after the company suffered a ransomware attack.

What You Need To Know

  • The pipeline runs from Texas to the New York Harbor.

  • Over 100 million gallons of fuel travels through it a day.

  • Governor Cooper called it a primary fuel pipeline for the state.

  • Governor Cooper signed a State of Emergency Executive Order that temporarily suspended the motor fuel regulations

The FBI said on Monday the organization Darkside is responsible.

Dr. Hossein Sarrafzadeh is the director of the Center of Excellelence in Cybersecurity Research, Education and Outreach at North Carolina A&T State University. Sarrafzadeh said Darkside has attacked American organizations in the past and while the group says they're apolitical, they stay away from Russia related groups.

He said as a whole ransomware attacks are up over the last few years.

The pipeline goes from Texas to the New York Harbor, including running through Greensboro. According to Colonial, more than 100 million gallons of fuel runs through the pipeline every day.

With that shut down and no clear timeline on reopening, eyes are on gas prices and a potential rise over the coming days.

On Monday, Governor Cooper signed a State of Emergency Executive Order that temporarily suspended the motor fuel regulations.

That includes waiving the maximum hours of service for drivers who transport fuel and waiving the size and weight limits on those transports.

The pipeline is a primary fuel pipeline for the state Gov. Cooper said.

According to him, the goal at this stage is to "help North Carolina prepare for any potential motor vehicle fuel supply interruptions across the state and ensure motorists have access to fuel."

In a statement, the company says they are taking a "phased approach" to reopening, and have a goal of "substantially restoring operational service" by the end of this week.