Pipeline shutdown sparks fear of U.S. gasoline shortage Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https://www.enable-javascript.com/ Vehicles line up to get fuel at a Sunoco gas station in Sumter, South Carolina, on Tuesday. | BLOOMBERG AFP-JIJI May 12, 2021 Washington – Fears the shutdown of a major fuel pipeline network would cause a gasoline shortage led to some panic buying, and prompted U.S. regulators on Tuesday to temporarily suspend clean fuel requirements in three eastern states and the nation’s capital. While it remained unclear the degree to which supplies would be affected, drivers lined up to fill their tanks at gas stations in the southeast, with some carrying extra containers amid fears of fuel scarcity.