The Valley's gasoline picture was a little brighter today as more stations had fuel to sell and waiting lines shrunk.
But there was some frightening news as Gov. Janet Napolitano announced the only pipeline providing gasoline to the Valley has been disrupted.
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Pipeline owner Kinder Morgan Energy Partners stopped sending fuel after a truck crashed onto the pipe near San Bernardino, Calif., she said.
No damage to the pipe was detected, Napolitano said, and it should be back in operation by tonight. Supplies expected to arrive in the Valley after Sunday will be delayed, but perhaps only by a few hours, she said.
Meanwhile, Kinder Morgan is pursuing two options to resume the gas flow in a second pipeline from Tucson to Phoenix. A four-mile section failed a high-pressure water test Wednesday morning, Kinder Morgan officials said. The company is working to replace the section and also is exploring how to convert a separate, 6-inch pipeline that now transports jet fuel from Phoenix to Tucson, Napolitano said.
"They told me they will move heaven and Earth to have fuel available from the east pipeline by Sunday evening," Napolitano said.
A spokesman for Kinder Morgan said he couldn't immediately confirm that the western pipeline from California had been shut down for inspection after the accident. Napolitano said such inspection is required by federal regulations.
About 55 percent of the Valley stations had fuel to sell Wednesday, Napolitano said, compared with 35 percent a day earlier.
