On May 11, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam signed Executive Order 78 declaring a state of emergency to address gasoline supply disruptions related to the cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline, which is the primary fuel source for many Virginia retailers. (Read the full Executive Order.) The declaration allows state agencies to issue waivers as required and provides increased flexibility and funding for state and local governments to ensure adequate fuel supply. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also issued a temporary fuel transportation waiver to increase the national supply of gasoline.
Many Northern Virginia gas stations have gas remaining (though some are out), and supplies should be replenished across the region by early next week. In the meantime, residents are urged to only get as much gas as needed and take conservation measures such as planning and combining trips, carpooling or using transit, ensuring tires are properly inflated and walking or biking when feasible. This article by AAA has additional tips for increasing fuel economy. If you must fill up prior to next week, a gas tracking app such as GasBuddy can show which stations have gas available.
At the local government level, Prince William County is taking steps to conserve fuel usage among its fleet, instructing employees to limit vehicle utilization to only critical operations, refrain from topping off vehicles, select higher fuel efficiency vehicles (i.e., hybrids and compact cars) over less efficient large vehicles and to carpool when possible, following COVID protocols such as wearing masks while sharing a vehicle.